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    EasyNotes 20241112 111102 423

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    EasyNotes 20241112 111102 423

    Uploaded by

    sureshjaiwal2512
    1 views3 pages
    Medical Notes

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    EasyNotes_20241112_111102_423

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    Medical Notes

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    1 views3 pages

    EasyNotes 20241112 111102 423

    Uploaded by

    sureshjaiwal2512
    Medical Notes

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 3

    11-12, 11:11 am

    External Carotid Artery l

    Definition: The external carotid artery is a terminal branch of the common carotid artery, primarily
    supplying structures in the front of the neck and face.
    Position: It lies anterior to the internal carotid artery.

    Course and Relations


    1. Origin and Pathway:
    •Begins in the carotid triangle at the upper border of the thyroid cartilage, opposite the disc between
    the third and fourth cervical vertebrae.
    •Ascends slightly backward and laterally, terminating behind the neck of the mandible by dividing into
    the maxillary and superficial temporal arteries.

    2. Curvature:
    The artery has a slightly curved course, being anteromedial to the internal carotid artery in its lower part
    and anterolateral in its upper part.

    3. Superficial Relations:
    •In the carotid triangle, it is relatively superficial, lying beneath the anterior border of the
    sternocleidomastoid muscle.
    •Crossed superficially by:
    •Cervical branch of the facial nerve
    •Hypoglossal nerve
    •Facial, lingual, and superior thyroid
    veins.

    4. Deep Relations:
    Deep to the external carotid artery are:
    •Wall of the pharynx
    •Superior laryngeal nerve (dividing
    into external and internal branches)
    •Ascending pharyngeal artery.

    5.Above Carotid Triangle:


    •Lies deep within the parotid gland.
    •Superficially related to:
    •Retro-mandibular vein
    •Facial nerve.
    •Deep structures include:
    -Internal carotid artery
    -Styloglossus and stylopharyngeus muscles
    -IX nerve (glossopharyngeal)
    -Pharyngeal branch of X nerve (vagus)
    -Superior laryngeal nerve
    -Superior cervical sympathetic ganglion.

    Branches of External Carotid Artery


    The external carotid artery gives off eight branches categorized as follows:
    Anterior Branches

    1.SUPERIOR THYROID ARTERY:


    •Arises just below the greater cornua of the hyoid bone.
    •Runs downwards and forwards, supplying the thyroid gland.
    •Relationship with external laryngeal nerve is crucial for surgical procedures.
    •Gives off branches including:
    -Superior laryngeal artery (pierces thyrohyoid membrane).
    -Sternocleidomastoid branch.
    Cricothyroid branch (anastomoses with opposite side).

    2 Lingual Artery:
    •Arises opposite the tip of the greater cornua of hyoid bone; has a tortuous course divided into three
    parts
    1. First part: In carotid triangle, forms an upward loop crossed by hypoglossal nerve.
    2 Second part: Deep to hyoglossus muscle along upper border of hyoid bone.
    3. Third part: Arteria profunda linguae (deep lingual artery) runs along anterior border of hyoglossus and
    horizontally on tongue's undersurface.
    •Gives off branches including suprahyoid, dorsal lingual, and sublingual arteries.

    3. Facial Artery:
    •Arises just above the greater cornua of hyoid bone; has tortuous course allowing movement during
    swallowing and facial expressions.
    •Cervical part runs deep to posterior belly of digastric muscle and submandibular gland; gives off
    ascending palatine, tonsillar, submental, and glandular branches.

    Posterior Branches

    4.Occipital Artery:
    •Arises from posterior aspect of external carotid opposite facial artery; crossed by hypoglossal nerve.
    •Provides sternocleidomastoid branches and supplies posterior scalp.

    5.Posterior Auricular Artery:


    •Arises from posterior aspect above posterior belly of digastric muscle; runs deep to parotid gland but
    superficial to styloid process.
    •Supplies back of auricle, skin over mastoid process, and scalp; has a stylomastoid branch supplying
    middle ear.
    Medial Branch

    6.Ascending Pharyngeal Artery:


    •A small branch arising close to lower end of external carotid; runs vertically upwards between pharynx
    wall and tonsil.
    •Sends meningeal branches into cranial cavity through various foramina.

    Terminal Branches

    7.Maxillary Artery:
    •The larger terminal branch starting behind neck of mandible under parotid gland; enters infratemporal
    fossa for further study.

    8.Superficial Temporal Artery:


    •Smaller terminal branch beginning behind neck of mandible under parotid gland.
    •Runs vertically upwards crossing root of zygoma; divides into anterior and posterior branches above
    zygoma supplying temple and scalp.
    •Anterior branch anastomoses with supraorbital and supratrochlear branches; supplies parotid gland,
    auricle, facial muscles, and gives off transverse facial artery and middle temporal artery.

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