• Skip to main content
  • Skip to main content
Choose which site to search.
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Logo University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences: Human Structure Module
  • UAMS Health
  • Jobs
  • Giving
  • Class Details
  • Faculty
  • Facilities
  • Anatomy Tables
  1. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
  2. College of Medicine
  3. Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences
  4. Education
  5. Medical School Courses
  6. Human Structure Module
  7. Anatomy Tables
  8. Artery Tables
  9. Arteries of the Head and Neck

Arteries of the Head and Neck

ArterySourceBranchesSupply toNotes
alveolar, anterior superiorinfraorbital a.dental brs., mucosal brs.maxillary incisor and canine teeth; part of the maxillary sinusanterior superior alveolar a. is located between the inner and outer tables
of bone of the maxilla
alveolar, inferiormaxillary a.lingual br., mylohyoid a., dental brs., mental a.mandibular teeth and gingiva; mandible; mylohyoid m.inferior alveolar a. runs with the inferior alveolar nerve within the mandibular
canal
alveolar, middle superiorinfraorbital a.dental brs., mucosal brs.maxillary premolar teeth; part of the maxillary sinusmiddle superior alveolar a. is located between the inner and outer tables
of bone of the maxilla
alveolar, posterior superiormaxillary a.dental brs., mucosal brs.maxillary molar teeth; part of the maxillary sinusposterior superior alveolar a. enters the maxilla in the infratemporal fossa
angularfacial a.no named branchesorbicularis oculi m. and lacrimal sacangular a. is the terminal branch of the facial a.
anterior cerebralinternal carotid a.anterior communicating a., medial frontobasal a., polar frontal a., callosomarginal
a., precuneal a.
medial and inferior portions of the frontal lobe; medial side of the parietal
lobe; corpus callosum and part of the limbic lobe; olfactory bulb and tract;
optic nerve, optic chiasm and optic tract
the anterior communicating a. unites the two anterior cerebral aa. across
the midline
anterior communicatinganterior cerebral a.perforating aa.an anastomotic connectionanterior communicating a. is a short vessel of anastomosis which crosses
the midline to join the paired anterior cerebral aa.; it is part of the Circle
of Willis
anterior deep temporalmaxillary a.no named branchesanterior part of temporalis m. and surrounding deep tissuesanterior deep temporal a. branches in the infratemporal fossa and runs deep
to temporalis m.
anterior ethmoidalophthalmic a.anterior meningeal a., anterior septal br., anterior lateral nasal br.anterior ethmoidal air cells, frontal paranasal sinus, dura mater in the
anterior cranial fossa, nasal mucosa, olfactory nerves
anterior ethmoidal a. leaves the orbit through the anterior ethmoidal foramen,
then runs forward on the cribriform plate
anterior inferior cerebellarbasilar a.labyrinthine (usually)pons (motor nucleus of cranial nerve V, chief sensory nucleus of cranial
nerve V, abducens nucleus, facial nucleus, superior salivatory nucleus); cerebellum;
inner ear
shares its region of supply with branches of the basilar a.
anterior radicularthey arise as multiple branches of several vessels (vertebral, posterior
intercostal, lumbar, and lateral sacral aa.)
they accompany the ventral rootlets to reach the spinal cordmeninges; spinal cord; spinal nerve; ventral rootletsanterior radicular aa. anastomose with the anterior spinal a.
anterior spinalcontributions received from several arteries (vertebral, posterior intercostal,
subcostal, lumbar, lateral sacral aa.)
pial arterial plexusmeninges; spinal cord; medulla (dorsal motor nucleus of cranial nerve X,
nucleus ambiguus, spinal accessory nucleus and hypoglossal nucleus)
anterior spinal a. anastomoses with the anterior radicular brs. of the
spinal rami of the vertebral, posterior intercostal, subcostal, lumbar and
lateral sacral aa.
anterior superior alveolarinfraorbital a.dental brs., mucosal brs.maxillary incisor and canine teeth; part of the maxillary sinusanterior superior alveolar a. is located between the inner and outer tables
of bone of the maxilla
anterior tympanicmaxillary a.no named branchesmiddle earanterior tympanic a. passes through the petrotympanic fissure along with
the chorda tympani n.
aortic archthe continuation of the ascending aortabrachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid a., left subclavian a.the entire body except the heartaortic arch continues as the descending thoracic aorta; the fibrous ligamentum
arteriosum connects to the inferior surface of the aortic arch and it marks
the location of the fetal ductus arteriosus aortic arch continues as the descending
thoracic aorta
ascending cervicalinferior thyroid a.unnamed muscular branchesdeep muscles of the neckascending cervical a. ascends on the anterior surface of the anterior scalene
m. beside the phrenic n.
ascending palatinefacial a.no named branchessuperior pharyngeal constrictor, soft palate, palatine tonsilascending palatine a. shares supply of the tonsil bed with 4 other aa. (see
also: tonsillar br. of the facial a., palatine br. of the ascending pharyngeal
a., tonsillar br. of the dorsal lingual a., tonsillar br. of the descending
palatine a.)
ascending pharyngealexternal carotid a.pharyngeal brs., inferior tympanic a., posterior meningeal a.pharynx, meningesascending pharyngeal a. arises from the medial side of the external carotid
a. close to the birfurcation
auricular, deepmaxillary a.no named branchesexternal auditory meatus, tympanic membranedeep auricular a. is small and difficult to dissect
auricular, posteriorexternal carotid a.stylomastoid br., auricular br., occipital br.part of the external ear, scalp and deeper structures posterior to the earposterior auricular and greater occipital share their region of distribution
basilarformed by the joining of the two vertebral aa.pontine brs., anterior inferior cerebellar a., superior cerebellar a., two
posterior cerebral aa. (terminal brs.)
pons (motor nucleus of cranial nerve V, chief sensory nucleus of cranial
nerve V, abducens nucleus, facial nucleus, superior salivatory nucleus); oculomotor
nucleus; nucleus of Edinger-Westphal; cerebellum; posterior cerebrum
basilar a. contributes blood to the cerebral arterial circle
brachiocephalic trunkaortic archright common carotid a., right subclavian a.right side of the head and neck; right upper limb and right side of the
chest wall
there is only one brachiocephalic trunk
buccalmaxillary a.no named branchescheek and associated musclesbuccal a. runs with the buccal branch of CN V
caroticotympanicinternal carotid a.no named branchestympanic cavitycaroticotympanic a. courses through the petrous portion of the temporal
bone
carotid, commonbrachiocephalic trunk (right), aortic arch (left)external carotid a., internal carotid a.most of the head and upper neckcommon carotid a. bifurcates at the level of the superior border of the
thyroid cartilage; the internal carotid a. and the external carotid a. are
its terminal brs.; the carotid sinus and carotid body are located at the bifurcation
carotid, externalcommon carotid a.superior thyroid a., ascending pharyngeal a., lingual a., facial a., occipital
a., posterior auricular a., maxillary a., superficial temporal a.
upper neck, face and scalpexternal carotid a. is the primary blood supply to the face and superficial
head; the maxillary a. and superficial temporal a. are its terminal branches
carotid, internalcommon carotid a.none in the neck; in the head: ophthalmic a., posterior communicating a.,
anterior cerebral a., middle cerebral a.
brain; eye and orbit; foreheadinternal carotid a. is the primary blood supply to the brain; it anastomoses
with the vertebral aa. and the contralateral internal carotid a. in the cerebral
arterial circle (of Willis); anterior and middle cerebral aa. are the terminal
brs. of the internal carotid a.
central, of retinaophthalmic a.superior nasal br., inferior nasal br., superior temporal br., inferior
temporal br.
retinacentral a. of the retina is the sole blood supply to the retina; it has
no significant collateral circulation and blockage of this vessel leads to
blindness; its branches are viewed in a funduscopic exam
cerebellar, anterior inferiorbasilar a.labyrinthine a. (usually)pons (motor nucleus of cranial nerve V, chief sensory nucleus of cranial
nerve V, abducens nucleus, facial nucleus, superior salivatory nucleus); cerebellum;
inner ear
anterior inferior cerebella a. shares its region of supply with branches
of the basilar a.
cerebellar, posterior inferiorvertebral a.posterior spinal a.part of cerebellum; medulla (cochlear nucleus, vestibular nucleus, dorsal
motor nucleus of cranial nerve X, nucleus ambiguus)
posterior inferior cerebellar a. shares its region of supply with the vertebral
a. and anterior spinal a. (watershed region)
cerebellar, superiorbasilar a.no named branchesupper cerebellum; trochlear nucleusthere may be more than one superior cerebellar a. arising from the basilar
a. on each side
cerebral, anteriorinternal carotid a.anterior communicating a., medial frontobasal a., polar frontal a., callosomarginal
a., precuneal a.
medial and inferior portions of the frontal lobe; medial side of the parietal
lobe; corpus callosum and part of the limbic lobe; olfactory bulb and tract;
optic nerve, optic chiasm and optic tract
the anterior communicating a. unites the two anterior cerebral aa. across
the midline
cerebral arterial circlean anastomotic circle of blood vessels formed by portions of the following vessels: posterior cerebral aa. (2); posterior communicating aa. (2); internal carotid aa. (2); anterior cerebral aa. (2); anterior communicating a. this is an anastomotic loop; major named vessels connect here, but there are no named branches of the arterial circlebrain and midbrainalso known as: arterial circle of Willis
cerebral, middleinternal carotid a.lateral frontobasal a.; prefrontal sulcal a.; precentral sulcal a.; central
sulcal a.; anterior parietal a.; posterior parietal a.; anterior, middle and
posterior temporal aa.
frontal, parietal and temporal lobes, especially on their lateral surfacesthe middle cerebral a. is the direct continuation of the internal carotid
a.
cerebral, posteriorbasilar a.posterior cerebral a.; anterior and posterior temporal brs.; medial occipital
a.
part of the brainstem (oculomotor nucleus, nucleus of Edinger-Westphal,
trochlear nucleus); medial and inferior portions of the temporal lobe; occipital
lobe
the two posterior cerebral aa. are the terminal brs. of the basilar a.
cervical, ascendinginferior thyroid a.unnamed muscular branchesdeep muscles of the neckascending cervical a. ascends on the anterior surface of the anterior scalene
m. beside the phrenic n.
cervical, deepcostocervical trunkunnamed muscular branchesdeep muscles of the posterior neckdeep cervical a. anastomoses with the occipital a. near the occipital bone
cervical, transversethyrocervical trunkunnamed muscular branches, possibly the dorsal scapular a.trapezius muscle and surrounding tissuestransverse cervical a. gives rise to the dorsal scapular a. ~30% of the
time
choroidalinternal carotid a.no named brancheschoroid plexus; optic nerve, optic chiasm and optic tractchoroidal a. follows the optic tract
ciliary, anteriormuscular brs. of the ophthalmic a.no named branchesanterior part of eyeballanterior ciliary aa. course deep to the conjunctiva to reach the region
surrounding the iris
ciliary, posteriorophthalmic a.no named brancheseyeballposterior ciliary aa. may be classified as short (supplying the posterior
eyeball) and lone (supplying the anterior eyeball); short and long posterior
ciliary aa. are identical in their size and course external to the eyeball
common carotidbrachiocephalic trunk (right), aortic arch (left)external carotid a., internal carotid a.most of the head and upper neckcommon carotid a. bifurcates at the level of the superior border of the
thyroid cartilage; the internal carotid a. and the external carotid a. are
its terminal brs.; the carotid sinus and carotid body are located at the bifurcation
communicating, anterioranterior cerebral a.perforating aa.an anastomotic connectionanterior communicating a. is a short vessel of anastomosis which crosses
the midline to join the paired anterior cerebral aa.; it is part of the Circle
of Willis
communicating, posteriorinternal carotid a.perforating aa.an anastomotic connectiona vessel of anastomosis which connects the internal carotid a. to the posterior
cerebral a.; part of the cerebral arterial circle (of Willis)
costocervical trunksubclavian a., 2nd partdeep cervical a., highest intercostal a.deep muscles of the posterior neck; posterior ends of the first 2 intercostal
spaces
costocervical trunk is located between the anterior scalene m. and the middle
scalene m.; it arches posteriorly over the cervical parietal pleura
cricothyroidsuperior thyroid a.no named branchescricothyroid m., inferior pharyngeal constrictor m.cricothyroid a. travels with the external br. of the superior laryngeal
n.
deep cervicalcostocervical trunkunnamed muscular branchesdeep muscles of the posterior neckdeep cervical a. anastomoses with the occipital a. near the occipital bone
descending palatinemaxillary a.greater palatine a., lesser palatine a.palatedescending palatine a. accompanies the greater palatine n. within the palatine
canal
dorsal linguallingual a.no named branchesposterior tongue, palatine tonsil, soft palatedorsal lingual a. is only one of five arteries that supply the tonsil bed
dorsal nasalophthalmic a.no named branchesdorsum of the nosedorsal nasal a. anastomoses with the angular a.
dorsal scapularsubclavian a., 3rd partunnamed muscular brancheslevator scapulae m., rhomboideus major m., rhomboideus minor m.dorsal scapular a. anastomoses with the suprascapular a. and the subscapular
a. to form the scapular anastomosis; dorsal scapular a is a branch of the transverse
cervical a. in ~30% of cases
ethmoidal, anteriorophthalmic a.anterior meningeal a., anterior septal br., anterior lateral nasal br.anterior ethmoidal air cells, frontal paranasal sinus, dura mater in the
anterior cranial fossa, nasal mucosa, olfactory nerves
anterior ethmoidal a. leaves the orbit through the anterior ethmoidal foramen,
then runs forward on the cribriform plate
ethmoidal, posteriorophthalmic a.no named branchesposterior ethmoidal air cells; olfactory nervesposterior ethmoidal a. leaves the orbit through the posterior ethmoidal
foramen
external carotidcommon carotidsuperior thyroid a., ascending pharyngeal a., lingual a., facial a., occipital
a., posterior auricular a., maxillary a., superficial temporal a.
upper neck, face and scalpexternal carotid a. is the primary blood supply to the face and superficial
head; the maxillary a. and superficial temporal a. are its terminal branches
facialexternal carotid a.ascending palatine a., tonsilar br., submental a., superior labial a., inferior
labial a., lateral nasal a., angular a.
lower part of the palatine tonsil, submandibular gland, facial muscles and
fascia
the angular branch of the facial a. anastomoses with the ophthalmic a.
facial, transversesuperficial temporal a.no named branchesparotid gland, masseter m., facial muscles and skintransverse facial a. anastomoses with branches of the buccal, infraorbital
and facial aa.
greater palatinedescending palatine a.no named brancheshard palate, palatine glands, palatine mucosagreater palatine a. accompanies the greater palatine n., it is endangered
by anesthetic injections for dental procedures
inferior alveolarmaxillary a.lingual br., mylohyoid a., dental brs., mental a.mandibular teeth and gingiva; mandible; mylohyoid m.inferior alveolar a. runs with the inferior alveolar nerve within the mandibular
canal
inferior labialfacial a.no named branchesskin, muscles, fasciae and mucosa of the lower lipinferior labial a. shares its region of distribution with branches of the
mental a.
inferior laryngealinferior thyroid a.no named branchesinternal part of the inferior larynx inferior laryngeal a. accompanies the inferior laryngeal n.
inferior thyroidthyrocervical trunkascending cervical a., inferior laryngeal a., esophageal brs., tracheal
brs., glandular brs.
thyroid gland, lower larynx, upper trachea, upper esophagus, deep neck musclesinferior thyroid a. gives rise to the ascending cervical a. as it arches
medially
internal carotidcommon carotid a.none in the neck; in the head: ophthalmic a., posterior communicating a.,
anterior cerebral a., middle cerebral a.
brain; eye and orbit; foreheadinternal carotid a. is the primary blood supply to the brain; it anastomoses
with the vertebral aa. and the contralateral internal carotid a. in the cerebral
arterial circle (of Willis); anterior and middle cerebral aa. are the terminal
brs. of the internal carotid a.
infraorbitalmaxillary a.anterior superior alveolar a., middle superior alveolar a.maxillary sinus, maxillary incisors, canine and premolar teeth, skin of
the cheek below the orbit, mucosa over the maxillary alveolar arch and the
adjacent cheek
infraorbital a. is one of four terminal branches of the maxillary a. (see
also: descending palatine a., sphenopalatine a., posterior superior alveolar
a.)
labial, inferiorfacial a.no named branchesskin, muscles, fasciae and mucosa of the lower lipinferior labial a. shares its region of distribution with branches of the
mental a.
labial, superiorfacial a.septal br.skin, muscles, fasciae and mucosa of the upper lip, lower part of the anterior
end of the nasal septum
superior labial a. supplies the orbicularis oris m. and the levator labii
superioris m.
labyrinthineanterior inferior cerebellar a. (or basilar a.)no named branchesinternal earlabyrinthine a. accompanies cranial nerves VII and VIII through the internal
acoustic meatus
lacrimalophthalmic a.lateral palpebral aa. (2)lacrimal gland, lateral sides of the eyelidslacrimal a. accompanies the lacrimal n.
laryngeal, inferiorinferior thyroid a.no named branchesinternal part of the inferior larynx inferior laryngeal a. accompanies the inferior laryngeal n.
laryngeal, superiorsuperior thyroid a.no named branchesinternal aspect of the superior larynxsuperior laryngeal a. penetrates the thyrohyoid membrane in company with
the internal br. of the superior laryngeal n.
lateral nasalfacial a.no named brancheslateral side of the noselateral nasal a. anastomoses with the dorsal nasal a.
lateral palpebrallacrimal a.superior br., inferior br.lateral sides of the upper and lower eyelidsthe 2 lateral palpebral aa. anastomose with the two medial palpebral aa.
to form the superior and inferior palpebral arches
lesser palatinedescending palatine a.no named branchesmuscles of the soft palate, mucosa and glands of the soft palate, upper
part of the tonsil bed
lesser palatine a. is endangered by anesthetic injections for dental procedures
lingualexternal carotid a.suprahyoid br., dorsal lingual brs., deep lingual a., sublingual a.tongue, suprahyoid muscles, palatine tonsillingual a. is the 2nd branch off of the anterior side of the external carotid
a.; it may arise in common with the facial a.
lingual, deeplingual a.no named branchesanterior tonguedeep lingual a. is the terminal br. of the lingual a.
lingual, dorsallingual a.no named branchesposterior tongue, palatine tonsil, soft palatedorsal lingual a. is only one of five arteries that supply the tonsil bed
massetericmaxillary a.no named branchesmasseter m.masseteric a. passes through the mandibular notch to enter the deep surface
of the masseter m.
maxillaryexternal carotid a.deep auricular a., anterior tympanic a., middle meningeal a., inferior alveolar
a., masseteric a., posterior deep temporal a., anterior deep temporal a., buccal
a., posterior superior alveolar a., infraorbital a., a. of the pterygoid canal,
descending palatine a., sphenopalatine a.
deep face, infratemporal fossa, tympanic cavity, muscles of masticationmaxillary a. may course medial or lateral to the lateral pterygoid m.
medial palpebralophthalmic a.superior br., inferior br.medial aspects of the upper and lower eyelidsthe 2 medial palpebral aa. anastomose with the two lateral palpebral aa.
to form the superior & inferior palpebral arches
meningeal, middlemaxillary a.frontal br., parietal br., petrous br., superior tympanic br.most of the dura mater (approx. 80%), bones of the cranial vaultmiddle meningeal a. passes through the foramen spinosum; it may be torn
by a fracture at the pterion; it is encircled by the auriculotemporal n.
mentalinferior alveolar a.no named branchesskin, superficial fascia and facial mm. of the chin and lower lipmental a.passes through the mental foramen; it anastomoses with the inferior
labial a.; it accompanies the mental n.
middle cerebralinternal carotid a.lateral frontobasal a.; prefrontal sulcal a.; precentral sulcal a.; central
sulcal a.; anterior parietal a.; posterior parietal a.; anterior, middle and
posterior temporal aa.
frontal, parietal and temporal lobes, especially on their lateral surfacesthe middle cerebral a. is the direct continuation of the internal carotid
a.
middle meningealmaxillary a.frontal br., parietal br., petrous br., superior tympanic br.most of the dura mater (approx. 80%), bones of the cranial vaultmiddle meningeal a. passes through the foramen spinosum; it may be torn
by a fracture at the pterion; it is encircled by the auriculotemporal n.
middle superior alveolarinfraorbital a.dental brs., mucosal brs.maxillary premolar teeth; part of the maxillary sinusmiddle superior alveolar a. is located between the inner and outer tables
of bone of the maxilla
middle temporalsuperficial temporal a.no named branchestemporalis m.middle temporal a. anastomoses with the posterior br. of the deep temporal
a.
mylohyoidinferior alveolar a.no named branchesmylohyoid m.mylohyoid a. accompanies the mylohyoid n. to the mylohyoid m.; a rare artery
because it enters the superficial surface of its target muscle
nasal, dorsalophthalmic a.no named branchesdorsum of the nosedorsal nasal a. anastomoses with the angular a.
nasal, lateralfacial a.no named brancheslateral side of the noselateral nasal a. anastomoses with the dorsal nasal a.
occipitalexternal carotid a.sternocleidomastoid brs., auricular br., mastoid br., descending br., occipital
brs.
lateral neck, posterior neck, posterior scalpoccipital a. anastomoses with the deep cervical a.; it courses with the
greater occipital nerve on the posterior surface of the head
ophthalmicinternal carotid a.central retinal a., lacrimal a., muscular brs., anterior ethmoidal a., posterior
ethmoidal a., medial palpebral a., supraorbital a., supratrochlear a., dorsal
nasal a.
optic nerve, optic chiasm optic tract, retina, extraocular mm., eyelids,
forehead, ethmoidal air cells, lateral nasal wall, dorsum of the nose
ophthalmic a. provides the only artery to the retina (central retinal a.)
palatine, ascendingfacial a.no named branchessuperior pharyngeal constrictor, soft palate, palatine tonsilascending palatine a. shares supply of the tonsil bed with 4 other aa. (see
also: tonsillar br. of the facial a., palatine br. of the ascending pharyngeal
a., tonsillar br. of the dorsal lingual a., tonsillar br. of the descending
palatine a.)
palatine, descendingmaxillary a.greater palatine a., lesser palatine a.palatedescending palatine a. accompanies the greater palatine n. within the palatine
canal
palatine, greaterdescending palatine a.no named brancheshard palate, palatine glands, palatine mucosagreater palatine a. accompanies the greater palatine n., it is endangered
by anesthetic injections for dental procedures
palatine, lesserdescending palatine a.no named branchesmuscles of the soft palate, mucosa and glands of the soft palate, upper
part of the tonsil bed
lesser palatine a. is endangered by anesthetic injections for dental procedures
palpebral, laterallacrimal a.superior br., inferior br.lateral sides of the upper and lower eyelidsthe 2 lateral palpebral aa. anastomose with the two medial palpebral aa.
to form the superior and inferior palpebral arches
palpebral, medialophthalmic a.superior br., inferior br.medial aspects of the upper and lower eyelidsthe 2 medial palpebral aa. anastomose with the two lateral palpebral aa.
to form the superior & inferior palpebral arches
pharyngeal, ascendingexternal carotidpharyngeal brs., inferior tympanic, posterior meningealpharynxarises from the medial side of the external carotid a. close to the birfurcation
posterior auricularexternal carotid a.stylomastoid br., auricular br., occipital br.part of the external ear, scalp and deeper structures posterior to the earposterior auricular and greater occipital share their region of distribution
posterior cerebralbasilar a.posterior cerebral a.; anterior and posterior temporal brs.; medial occipital
a.
part of the brainstem (oculomotor nucleus, nucleus of Edinger-Westphal,
trochlear nucleus); medial and inferior portions of the temporal lobe; occipital
lobe
the two posterior cerebral aa. are the terminal brs. of the basilar a.
posterior communicatinginternal carotid a.perforating aa.an anastomotic connectiona vessel of anastomosis which connects the internal carotid a. to the posterior
cerebral a.; part of the cerebral arterial circle (of Willis)
posterior deep temporalmaxillary a.no named branchesposterior part of the temporalis m.posterior deep temporal a. branches in the infratemporal fossa and runs
deep to temporalis m.
posterior ethmoidalophthalmic a.no named branchesposterior ethmoidal air cells; olfactory nervesposterior ethmoidal a. leaves the orbit through the posterior ethmoidal
foramen
posterior inferior cerebellarvertebral a.posterior spinal a.part of cerebellum; medulla (cochlear nucleus, vestibular nucleus, dorsal
motor nucleus of cranial nerve X, nucleus ambiguus)
posterior inferior cerebellar a. shares its region of supply with the vertebral
a. and anterior spinal a. (watershed region)
posterior radicularthey arise as multiple branches of several vessels (vertebral, posterior
intercostal, lumbar, and lateral sacral aa.)
no named branchesmeninges; spinal cord; spinal nerve; dorsal rootletsposterior radicular aa. accompany the dorsal rootlets; they anastomose with
the posterior spinal aa.
posterior septalsphenopalatine a. (several small brs.)no named branchesposterior aspect of the nasal septum posterior septal a. supplies the mucous membrane of the nasal septum
posterior spinalcontributions received from several arteries (posterior inferior cerebellar,
vertebral, posterior intercostal, subcostal, lumbar, lateral sacral aa.)
pial arterial plexusspinal cord, especially the dorsal columns; medulla (nucleus cuneatus and
nucleus gracilis)
paired; posterior spinal aa. anastomose with the posterior radicular brs.
of the spinal rami of the vertebral, posterior intercostal, subcostal, lumbar
and lateral sacral aa.
posterior superior alveolarmaxillary a.dental brs., mucosal brs.maxillary molar teeth; part of the maxillary sinusposterior superior alveolar a. enters the maxilla in the infratemporal fossa
quadrigeminalposterior cerebralno named branchestrochlear nerve; corpora quadrigeminablockage of the quadrigeminal a. results in paralysis of the superior oblique
m. of the eye
radicular, anteriorthey arise as multiple branches of several vessels (vertebral, posterior
intercostal, lumbar, and lateral sacral aa.)
they accompany the ventral rootlets to reach the spinal cordmeninges; spinal cord; spinal nerve; ventral rootletsanterior radicular aa. anastomose with the anterior spinal a.
radicular, great anteriorthe spinal br. of the lower posterior intercostal a., subcostal a., or upper
lumbar a., usually on left
no named brancheslower spinal cordgreat anterior radicular a. anastomoses with the anterior spinal a. at lower
thoracic or upper lumbar spinal cord levels
radicular, posteriorthey arise as multiple branches of several vessels (vertebral, posterior
intercostal, lumbar, and lateral sacral aa.)
no named branchesmeninges; spinal cord; spinal nerve; dorsal rootletsposterior radicular aa. accompany the dorsal rootlets; they anastomose with
the posterior spinal aa.
sphenopalatinemaxillary a.posterior lateral nasal brs., posterior septal brs.posterolateral nasal wall, posteroinferior nasal septum, hard palate behind
the maxillary incisor teeth
sphenopalatine a. accompanies the nasopalatine n.
spinal, anteriorcontributions received from several arteries (vertebral, posterior intercostal,
subcostal, lumbar, lateral sacral aa.)
pial arterial plexusmeninges; spinal cord; medulla (dorsal motor nucleus of cranial nerve X,
nucleus ambiguus, spinal accessory nucleus and hypoglossal nucleus)
the anterior spinal a. anastomoses with the anterior radicular brs. of the
spinal rami of the vertebral, posterior intercostal, subcostal, lumbar and
lateral sacral aa.
spinal, posteriorcontributions received from several arteries (posterior inferior cerebellar,
vertebral, posterior intercostal, subcostal, lumbar, lateral sacral aa.)
pial arterial plexusspinal cord, especially the dorsal columns; medulla (nucleus cuneatus and
nucleus gracilis)
paired; posterior spinal aa. anastomose with the posterior radicular brs.
of the spinal rami of the vertebral, posterior intercostal, subcostal, lumbar
and lateral sacral aa.
stylomastoidposterior auricular a.no named branchestympanic cavity, mastoid air cellsstylomastoid br. of the posterior auricular a. passes through the stylomastoid
foramen in company with the facial n.
subclavianbrachiocephalic a. (right), aortic arch (left)1st part: vertebral a., thyrocervical trunk, internal thoracic a.; 2nd part:
costocervical trunk; 3rd part: dorsal scapular a. (70%)
neck, brain, spinal cord, thyroid gland, larynx, shoulder, chest muscles,
upper limb
subclavian a. is continuous with the axillary a., the name change occurs
at the lateral border of the first rib; anterior scalene muscle passes anterior
to the subclavian a., dividing it into 3 parts
sublinguallingual a.no named branchesmylohyoid m., sublingual gland, floor of the mouthsublingual a. is one of three branches of the lingual a. (see also: dorsal
lingual a., deep lingual a.)
submentalfacial a.no named branchesmuscles, skin and fascia under the chin; submandibular glandsubmental a. supplies the submandibular gland and the mylohyoid m. in addition
to the skin and superficial fascia
superficial temporalexternal carotid a.transverse facial a.; anterior auricular brs.; zygomatico-orbital a.; middle
temporal a.; frontal br.; parietal br.
scalp of the lateral side of the head; lateral face; temporalis m.superficial temporal a. and maxillary a. are the terminal branches of the
external carotid a.
superior cerebellarbasilar a.no named branchesupper cerebellum; trochlear nucleusthere may be more than one superior cerebellar a. arising from the basilar
a. on each side
superior labialfacial a.septal br.skin, muscles, fasciae and mucosa of the upper lip, lower part of the anterior
end of the nasal septum
superior labial a. supplies the orbicularis oris m. and the levator labii
superioris m.
superior laryngealsuperior thyroid a.no named branchesinternal aspect of the superior larynxsuperior laryngeal a. penetrates the thyrohyoid membrane in company with
the internal br. of the superior laryngeal n.
superior thyroidexternal carotid a.infrahyoid br., sternocleidomastoid br., superior laryngeal a., cricothyroid
br., glandular brs.
thyroid gland, upper part of the larynx, infrahyoid mm., sternocleidomastoid
m.
superior thyroid a. is usually the first branch of the external carotid
a.
supraorbitalophthalmic a.no named branchesmuscles, skin and fascia of the foreheadsupraorbital a. accompanies the supraorbital n.
suprascapularthyrocervical trunkmuscularsupraspinatus & infraspinatus, shoulder jointanastomoses with the circumflex scapular a. and the dorsal scapular a. to
form the scapular anastomosis
supratrochlearophthalmic a.no named branchesmuscles, skin and fascia of the medial forehead supratrochlear a. accompanies the supratrochlear n.
temporal, anterior deepmaxillary a.no named branchesanterior part of temporalis m. and surrounding deep tissuesanterior deep temporal a. branches in the infratemporal fossa and runs deep
to temporalis m.
temporal, middlesuperficial temporal a.no named branchestemporalis m.middle temporal a. anastomoses with the posterior br. of the deep temporal
a.
temporal, posterior deepmaxillary a.no named branchesposterior part of the temporalis m.posterior deep temporal a. branches in the infratemporal fossa and runs
deep to temporalis m.
temporal, superficialexternal carotid a.transverse facial a.; anterior auricular brs.; zygomatico-orbital a.; middle
temporal a.; frontal br.; parietal br.
scalp of the lateral side of the head; lateral face; temporalis m.superficial temporal a. and maxillary a. are the terminal branches of the
external carotid a.
thoracic, internalsubclavian a. (1st part)pericardiocophrenic a., perforating brs., anterior intercostal aa., mediastinal
brs., thymic brs., musculophrenic a., superior epigastric a.
mediastinum, anterior thoracic wall, anterior abdominal wall, respiratory
diaphragm
internal thoracic a. is also known as: internal mammary a.
thyrocervical trunksubclavian a., 1st partinferior thyroid a., transverse cervical a., suprascapular a.lower neck, posterior shoulder, thyroid glandthyrocervical trunk does not give rise to the ascending cervical a.- it
is a branch of the inferior thyroid a.
thyroid, inferiorthyrocervical trunkascending cervical a., inferior laryngeal a., esophageal brs., tracheal
brs., glandular brs.
thyroid gland, lower larynx, upper trachea, upper esophagus, deep neck musclesinferior thyroid a. gives rise to the ascending cervical a. as it arches
medially
thyroid, superiorexternal carotid a.infrahyoid br., sternocleidomastoid br., superior laryngeal a., cricothyroid
br., glandular brs.
thyroid gland, upper part of the larynx, infrahyoid mm., sternocleidomastoid
m.
superior thyroid a. is usually the first branch of the external carotid
a.
thyroidea imabrachiocephalic a. or aortic archno named branchesisthmus of the thyroid gland, upper tracheathyroidea ima a. is present in 10% of individuals; it is clinically significant
because it is a midline artery in the region of tracheostomy; ima means "lowest"
transverse cervicalthyrocervical trunkunnamed muscular branches, possibly the dorsal scapular a.trapezius muscle and surrounding tissuestransverse cervical a. gives rise to the dorsal scapular a. ~30% of the
time
transverse facialsuperficial temporal a.no named branchesparotid gland, masseter m., facial muscles and skintransverse facial a. anastomoses with branches of the buccal, infraorbital
and facial aa.
trunk, brachiocephalicaortic archright common carotid a., right subclavian a.right side of the head and neck; right upper limb and right side of the
chest wall
there is only one brachiocephalic trunk
trunk, costocervicalsubclavian a., 2nd partdeep cervical a., highest intercostal a.deep muscles of the posterior neck; posterior ends of the first 2 intercostal
spaces
costocervical trunk is located between the anterior scalene m. and the middle
scalene m.; it arches posteriorly over the cervical parietal pleura
trunk, thyrocervicalsubclavian a., 1st partinferior thyroid a., transverse cervical a., suprascapular a.lower neck, posterior shoulder, thyroid glandthyrocervical trunk does not give rise to the ascending cervical a.- it
is a branch of the inferior thyroid a.
tympanic, anteriormaxillary a.no named branchesmiddle earanterior tympanic a. passes through the petrotympanic fissure along with
the chorda tympani n.
vertebralsubclavian a.(1st part)spinal brs., muscular brs., anterior spinal a., posterior inferior cerebellar
a., medullary brs., meningeal brs., basilar a.
deep neck, cervical spinal cord, spinal cord; medulla (dorsal motor nucleus
of cranial nerve X, nucleus ambiguus, spinal accessory nucleus and hypoglossal
nucleus)
vertebral a. anastomoses with the internal carotid a. in the cerebral arterial
circle (of Willis); it courses through the transverse foramina of vertebrae
C1-C6
UAMS College of Medicine LogoUAMS College of MedicineUniversity of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Mailing Address: 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone: (501) 686-7000
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy

© 2022 University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences