AnatomyDeck

Vessel

External carotid artery

Supplies the face and neck

Head & neckCardiovascular system

High-yield

Eight branches — Some Anatomists Like Freaking Out Poor Medical Students (Superior thyroid, Ascending pharyngeal, Lingual, Facial, Occipital, Posterior auricular, Maxillary, Superficial temporal).

Overview

A terminal branch of the common carotid supplying the structures of the neck, face, and scalp through eight named branches.

Reference facts

  • Type

    Muscular artery

  • Origin

    Common carotid artery

  • Branches / tributaries

    Superior thyroid; Ascending pharyngeal; Lingual; Facial; Occipital; Posterior auricular; Maxillary; Superficial temporal

  • Supplies

    Face, scalp, neck viscera, and dura

  • Course

    Ascends from the carotid bifurcation through the parotid gland, where it divides into its two terminal branches

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