home Medications Branches of the external carotid artery. External carotid artery, its topography, branches and areas supplied by them Blood supply of facial tissues

Branches of the external carotid artery. External carotid artery, its topography, branches and areas supplied by them Blood supply of facial tissues

The middle meningeal artery (the Latin text of the spelling interprets its name as A. meningeamedia) is part of the verteobrazilar circulatory system and provides nutrition to the dura mater.

After penetration into the intracranial space, it is divided into four main branches:

Upper drum. From the branch site, it passes through the temporal region and feeds the tympanic mucosa.
Frontal. Passes to the lobe of the same name and feeds the frontal region of the dura mater.
Parietal. Branches upward and provides blood flow to the parietal zone of the hard shell of the brain.
Additional meningeal. It passes into the space of the skull through the foramen ovale and provides blood supply to the trigeminal node, auditory tube, pterygoid muscles and part of the dura mater.

As part of the jaw blood circulation, the meningeal vessels interact closely with the facial, orbital, and ear arteries, forming a pool with a developed collageral network.

Location

The middle meningeal artery is located between the pterygo-jaw ligament and the apex of the mandible. It rises along the outer surface of the medial pterygoid muscle to the endings of the ear-temporal nerves to the spinous foramen, through which it passes into the cranial space.

The groove of the scales of the temporal bone and the notch of the parietal region are the site of the vessel. Has anostomy with the internal carotid arteries, through the connecting duct is connected with the lacrimal network of blood vessels. the artery gives a separate branch to the trigeminal ganglion and the mucous membrane of the tympanic cavity.

Pathology

Violation of the normal degree of blood flow in the branches of the middle meningeal artery leads to the development of a violation of the state of the hard shell of the brain in the parietal and occipital regions. Chronic shortage of oxygen and vital elements by the tissues of the membrane leads to disturbances in its structure and the occurrence of ischemia.

The most common ailment arising from hemodynamic disturbances in the branches of the meningeal arteries is ischemic stroke. Middle-aged and elderly people are susceptible to this disease, but sometimes the age of a patient diagnosed with ischemic stroke of the frontal branch of the meningeal vessel may be very young.

In addition to stroke, the middle and anterior meningeal arteries are susceptible to various types of infectious lesions of the walls caused by inflammation of the dura mater or penetration of infection into the cavity of the tympanic membrane. Arteritis provokes a sharp spasm of the affected branch of the artery with an immediate deterioration in resistance indicators.

A further lack of blood flow aggravates the situation - an infection that affects the dura mater spreads to individual areas of the gyrus and causes irreversible changes in their structure.

In the practice of vascular pathologies of the brain, the leader among the emerging pathological changes is the occurrence of an aneurysm of the artery wall. The WHO statistics state that among other disorders of cerebral circulation, hemorrhagic strokes associated with hemorrhage from a ruptured protrusion of the vessel wall rank first.

In total, a stroke occurs in 1.5-2% of the adult population and practically leads to the disability of the patient. In especially severe cases, the resulting hematoma causes irreparable damage to the brain tissue and leads to the death of the patient.

Signs

Any disturbances in blood flow in the meningeal arteries lead to a sharp deterioration in human health. With hemodynamic disturbances and the development of ischemia in the arteries, symptoms occur as the pathology develops in the tissues supplied with blood through the meningeal vessels. In the event of a ruptured aneurysm or in acute infectious lesions of the arterial walls, signs of pathology appear suddenly and rapidly intensify.

The resulting hemorrhage under the dura mater is expressed by the following symptoms:

a sharp and very severe headache in the parietal or frontal region, accompanied by uncontrollable vomiting;
dizziness with loss of ability to maintain an upright position;
violation of the hearing organs, ringing and loud noise appear in one ear;
there may be a partial speech disorder, the tongue is skewed;
heartbeat increases and quickens;
fainting and sometimes coma may occur.

The presence of inflammatory processes on the walls of arteries is often accompanied by hyperthermia and chills. Treatment with the appearance of these symptoms should begin immediately, and in order to select its most effective technique, an accurate examination of the patient is required.

Diagnostics

It is quite difficult to recognize the onset of pathology in the meningeal vessels by analyzing the symptoms that have arisen, and often simply impossible. Signs of a developing disturbance of blood flow in the cerebral arteries are very similar to those of other diseases. To identify violations and make an accurate diagnosis, instrumental diagnostics will help, giving a complete picture of the clinic of pathology. In most cases, examination of the condition of the meningeal arteries is carried out using techniques such as:

Transcranial Doppler. This ultrasound method makes it possible to obtain accurate information about the state of the circulatory system in the intracranial space. With the help of TKDG equipment, the doctor visually observes the direction of blood flow through the vessels and has the ability to speed its flow. The method allows you to identify stenosis of the arterial walls, the degree of narrowing of the lumen between the vascular walls
Magnetic resonance imaging. It is the most sensitive and accurate method for diagnosing meningeal arteries. With its help, the doctor will not ignore the most insignificant disorders of the state of the cerebral vascular system and surrounding tissues. Allows you to identify pathologies at the earliest stages of development and in the chronic and subacute course of the disease
CT scan. The study of graphic images of the areas of occurrence of meningeal arteries, performed using a computer tomograph, the doctor identifies the location of pathologies in the vessels, the presence of hematomas, sclerotic formations on the walls. For studying the state of such small vessels as meningeal branches, the best result is the conversion of the image into a 3D color image.
Angiography. It is the most common method for assessing the level of blood flow and measuring its speed in individual branches of cerebral vessels. It is based on the introduction of special tinting preparations into the bloodstream and further radiography or ultrasound diagnostics. Contraindicated for use in patients who have identified intolerance to certain medicines, in particular medicines containing iodine

The presence of inflammatory processes on the walls of the arteries and in the tissues feeding them is determined by a biochemical blood test. An increased level of leukocytes, in this case, will indicate an existing infectious lesion.

Treatment

After studying the results of the diagnosis, the doctor chooses and prescribes the most effective and efficient method for helping the patient. This can be conservative methods of treatment based on taking medications and undergoing sessions of procedures in a physiotherapy room. In special cases, a microsurgical operation is performed, in which the doctor promptly eliminates the causes of insufficient blood supply to the dura mater, hematomas.

For drug treatment, the doctor prescribes the following medicines:

drugs stimulating hemodynamics;
anti-clotting drugs;
agents that restore blood biochemistry;
vitamin complexes.

Physiotherapy measures carried out after the removal of the main symptoms include:

exposure to the affected area with low UHF currents;
ultraviolet irradiation of the affected area;
the imposition of applications using active drugs.

In the case of an unsatisfactory result of conservative treatment methods or in the presence of a threat to the patient's life with a ruptured aneurysm, a surgical operation can be performed, which consists of such stages as:

opening the skull and dura mater;
elimination of the lesion focus;
closure of a surgical wound.

After the performed surgical treatment, the patient undergoes rehabilitation stages in a hospital, and then on an outpatient basis. During the recovery period, the patient is prescribed a course of medication, physiotherapy and physiotherapy sessions.

It is important to remember that the consequences of a hemorrhagic stroke caused by hemorrhage inside the meninges. Cannot be completely eliminated. The patient will need to follow the doctor's recommendations for life and undergo regular preventive examinations.

Prevention

The occurrence of repeated manifestations of impaired blood flow along the branches of the meningeal vascular system can be prevented by applying preventive measures recommended by a specialist. The purpose of prevention is to exclude the occurrence of pathologies in the meningeal arteries and their surrounding tissues. To do this, you will need to do the following:

to undergo regular preventive examination of the state of blood vessels, in particular, this procedure is mandatory for patients with existing congenital vascular pathologies;
follow the regimen prescribed by the attending doctor;
normalize night sleep, avoid stressful life situations;
part with existing bad habits;
observe food culture and monitor your own body weight;
take timely measures to treat acute infections.

When these rules are followed, the patient will be able to avoid the occurrence of crisis exacerbations of pathologies of the meningeal arteries and maintain normal health. If the first signs of cerebral circulation deterioration appear, the patient should immediately visit his attending physician.

External carotid artery, a. carotis externa, heading up, goes slightly in front and medial to the internal carotid artery, and then outward from it.

First, the external carotid artery is located superficially, being covered by the subcutaneous muscle of the neck and the superficial plate of the cervical fascia. Then, heading up, it passes behind the posterior abdomen of the digastric muscle and the stylohyoid muscle. Slightly higher, it is located behind the branch of the lower jaw, where it penetrates into the thickness of the parotid gland and at the level of the neck of the condylar process of the lower jaw is divided into the maxillary artery, a. maxillaris, and superficial temporal artery, a. temporalis superficialis, which form a group of terminal branches of the external carotid artery.

The external carotid artery gives rise to a number of branches, which are divided into four groups: anterior, posterior, medial, and terminal branch group.

Front group of branches. 1. Superior thyroid artery, a. the thyroidea superior, departs from the external carotid artery immediately at the place of origin of the latter from the common carotid artery at the level of the large horns of the hyoid bone. It is directed slightly upward, then arcuately bent medially and follows to the upper edge of the corresponding lobe of the thyroid gland, sending the anterior glandular branch to its parenchyma, r. glandularis anterior, posterior glandular branch, r. glandularis posterior, and a lateral glandular branch, r. glandularis lateralis. In the thickness of the gland, the branches of the superior thyroid artery are anastomosed with the branches of the inferior thyroid artery, a. thyroidea inferior (from the thyroid trunk, truncus thyrocervicalis, extending from the subclavian artery, a.subclavia).

Along the way, the superior thyroid artery gives off a number of branches:

a) subhyoid branch, r. infrahyoideus, supplies the hyoid bone, and the muscles attached to it; anastomoses with the branch of the same name on the opposite side;

b) sternocleidomastoid branch, r. sternocleidomastoideus, unstable, supplies blood to the muscle of the same name, approaching it from the inner surface, in its upper third;

c) the superior laryngeal artery, a. laryngea superior, directed to the medial side, passes over the upper edge of the thyroid cartilage, under the thyroid-hyoid muscle and, piercing the thyroid-hyoid membrane, supplies blood to the muscles, the laryngeal mucosa and partially the hyoid bone and epiglottis:

d) cricothyroid branch, r. cricothyroideus, supplies the muscle of the same name and forms an arcuate anastomosis with the artery of the opposite side.

2. Lingual artery, a. lingualis, thicker than the upper thyroid and begins slightly above it, from the anterior wall of the external carotid artery. In rare cases, it departs with a common trunk with the facial artery and is called the ovarian-facial trunk, truncus linguofacialis. The lingual artery follows slightly upward, passes over the large horns of the hyoid bone, heading forward and inward. In its course, it is first covered by the posterior abdomen of the digastric muscle, the stylohyoid muscle, then passes under the hyoid-lingual muscle (between the last and the middle constrictor of the pharynx from the inside), approaches, penetrating into the thickness of its muscles.

In its course, the lingual artery gives off a number of branches:

a) suprahyoid branch, r. suprahyoideus, runs along the upper edge of the hyoid bone, arcuately anastomoses with the branch of the same name on the opposite side: it supplies the hyoid bone and adjacent soft tissues with blood;

b) dorsal branches of the tongue, rr. dorsales linguae, of small thickness, depart from the lingual artery under the hyoid-lingual muscle, heading steeply upward, approach the back of the back of the tongue, supplying blood to its mucous membrane and tonsil. Their terminal branches pass to the epiglottis and anastomose with the arteries of the same name on the opposite side;

c) the sublingual artery, a. sublingualis, departs from the lingual artery before its entry into the thickness of the tongue, is directed anteriorly, passing over the maxillary-hyoid muscle outward from the mandibular duct; then it comes to the hyoid gland, supplying it with blood and nearby muscles; ends in the mucous membrane of the floor of the mouth and in the gums. Several branches, piercing the maxillary-hyoid muscle, anastomose with the submental artery, a. submentalis (branch of the facial artery, a. facialis);

d) deep artery of the tongue, a. profunda linguae, is the most powerful branch of the lingual artery, which is its continuation. Heading up, it enters the thickness of the tongue between the chin-lingual muscle and the lower longitudinal muscle of the tongue; then, following winding forward, it reaches its top.

In its course, the artery gives off numerous branches that feed its own muscles and the mucous membrane of the tongue. The terminal branches of this artery approach the frenum of the tongue.

3. Facial artery, a. facialis, originates from the anterior surface of the external carotid artery, slightly above the lingual artery, goes forward and upward and passes inward from the posterior abdomen of the digastric muscle and stylohyoid muscle into the submandibular triangle. Here it either adjoins the submandibular gland, or pierces its thickness, and then goes outward, bending around the lower edge of the body of the lower jaw in front of the attachment of the masseter muscle; bending upwards onto the lateral surface of the face, it approaches the region of the medial angle of the eye between the superficial and deep facial muscles.

In its course, the facial artery gives off several branches:

a) the ascending palatine artery, a. palatina ascendens, departs from the initial section of the facial artery and, rising up the lateral wall of the pharynx, passes between the styloid and stylopharyngeal muscles, supplying them with blood. The terminal branches of this artery branch out in the region of the pharyngeal opening of the auditory tube, in the palatine tonsils and partly in the mucous membrane of the pharynx, where they anastomose with the ascending pharyngeal artery, a. pharyngea ascendens;

b) amygdala branch, r. tonsillaris, goes up the lateral surface of the pharynx, pierces the upper constrictor of the pharynx and ends with numerous branches in the thickness of the palatine tonsil. Gives a row of twigs to the wall of the pharynx and the root of the tongue;

c) branches to the submandibular gland - glandular branches, rr. glandulares, represented by several branches extending from the main trunk of the facial artery in the place where it is adjacent to the submandibular gland;

d) submental artery, a. submentalis is a rather powerful branch. Heading anteriorly, it passes between the anterior abdomen of the digastric muscle and the maxillary-hyoid muscle and supplies them with blood. Anastomosing with the sublingual artery, the submental artery passes through the lower valve of the lower jaw and, following to the anterior surface of the face, supplies the skin and muscles of the chin and lower lip;

e) lower and upper labial arteries, aa. labiales inferior et superior, start in different ways: the first - slightly below the corner of the mouth, and the second - at the level of the angle, follow in the thickness of the circular muscle of the mouth near the edge of the lips. Arteries supply blood to the skin, muscles and mucous membrane of the lips, anastomosing with the vessels of the same name on the opposite side. The superior labial artery gives off a thin branch of the nasal septum, r. septi nasi, the blood supplying skin of the nasal septum in the nostril region;

f) lateral branch of the nose, r. lateralis nasi, - a small artery that goes to the wing of the nose and supplies blood to the skin of this area;

g) angular artery, a. angularis is the terminal branch of the facial artery. Goes up the lateral surface of the nose, giving off small twigs to the wing and bridge of the nose. Then it approaches the corner of the eye, where it anastomoses with the dorsal artery of the nose, as well. dorsalis nasi (a branch of the ophthalmic artery, a. ophthlmica).

Back group of branches.1. Sternocleidomastoid branch, r. sternocleidomastoideus, often departs from the occipital artery or from the external carotid artery at the level of the beginning of the facial artery or slightly higher and enters the thickness of the sternocleidomastoid muscle at the border of its middle and upper thirds.

2. Occipital artery, a. occipitalis, goes back and up. It is initially covered by the posterior abdomen of the digastric muscle and crosses the outer wall of the internal carotid artery. Then, under the posterior abdomen of the digastric muscle, it deviates posteriorly and goes into the groove of the occipital artery of the mastoid process. Here, the occipital artery between the deep muscles of the occiput is again directed upward and exits medial to the place of attachment of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Further, piercing the attachment of the trapezius muscle to the superior nuchal line, it exits under the tendon helmet, where it gives off the terminal branches.

The following branches extend from the occipital artery:

a) sternocleidomastoid branches, rr. sternocleidomastoidei, in the amount of 3 - 4 supply the muscle of the same name, as well as the nearby muscles of the occiput; sometimes they branch off in the form of a common trunk as a descending branch, r. descendens;

b) mastoid, r. mastoideus, - a thin stem that penetrates through the mastoid opening to the dura mater;

c) ear branch, r. auricularis, goes forward and upward, supplying blood to the posterior surface of the auricle;

d) occipital branches, rr. occipitales are terminal branches. Located between the supracranial muscle and the skin, they anastomose between themselves and with the branches of the same name on the opposite side, as well as with the branches of the posterior ear artery, as well. auricularis posterior, and superficial temporal artery, a. temporalis superficialis;

e) meningeal branch, r. meningeus, - a thin stem, penetrates through the parietal opening to the hard shell of the brain.

3. Posterior ear artery, a. auricularis posterior, - a small vessel originating from the external carotid artery, above the occipital artery, but sometimes extending with it in a common trunk.
The posterior auricular artery is directed upward, slightly posteriorly and inward, and is initially covered by the parotid gland. Then, rising along the styloid process, it goes to the mastoid process, lying between it and the auricle. Here, the artery is divided into anterior and posterior terminal branches.

A number of branches extend from the posterior ear artery:

a) styloid artery, a. stylomastoidea, thin, passes through the hole of the same name into the facial canal. Before entering the canal, a small artery departs from it - the posterior tympanic artery, a. tympanica posterior, penetrating into the tympanic cavity through the stony tympanic fissure. In the canal of the facial nerve, it gives off small mastoid branches, rr. mastoidei, to the cells of the mastoid process, and the stirrup branch, r. stapedialis, to the stapes muscle;

b) the ear branch, r. auricularis, passes along the back surface of the auricle and pierces it, giving branches to the front surface;

c) occipital branch, r. occipitalis, is directed along the base of the mastoid process posteriorly and upward, anastomosing with the terminal branches, and. occipitalis.

Medial branch group.The ascending pharyngeal artery, a. pharyngea ascendens, starts from the inner wall of the external carotid artery. It goes up, goes between the internal and external carotid arteries, approaches the lateral wall of the pharynx.

Gives the following branches:

a) pharyngeal branches, rr. pharyngeales, two or three, are directed along the posterior wall of the pharynx and supply the posterior part of it with the palatine tonsil to the base of the skull, as well as part of the soft palate and partially the auditory tube;

b) posterior meningeal artery, a. meningea posterior, follows up the course of the internal carotid artery, as well. carotis interna, or through the jugular opening; then it passes into the cranial cavity and branches in the hard shell of the brain;

c) the lower tympanic artery, a. tympanica inferior, is a thin stem that enters the tympanic cavity through the tympanic tubule and supplies blood to its mucous membrane.

Terminal branch group. I. Maxillary artery, a. maxillaris, departs from the external carotid artery at a right angle at the level of the mandible neck. The initial section of the artery is covered by the parotid gland. Then the artery, wriggling, is directed horizontally anteriorly between the branch of the lower jaw and the sphenoid-mandibular ligament.

The branches extending from the maxillary artery, according to the topography of its individual sections, are conventionally divided into three groups.

The first group includes branches extending from the main trunk a. maxillaris near the neck of the lower jaw are branches of the mandibular part of the maxillary artery.

The second group is made up of branches starting from that department a. maxillaris, which lies between the lateral pterygoid and temporal muscles, is a branch of the pterygoid portion of the maxillary artery.

The third group includes branches extending from that site a. maxillaris, which is located in the pterygo-palatine fossa, are branches of the pterygo-palatine part of the maxillary artery.

Branches of the mandibular part. 1. Deep ear artery, a. auricularis profunda, - a small branch extending from the initial section of the main trunk. It is directed upward and supplies the articular capsule of the temporomandibular joint, the lower wall of the external auditory canal and the tympanic membrane.

2. Anterior tympanic artery, a. tympanica anterior, often a branch of the deep ear artery. Penetrates through the stony-tympanic fissure into the tympanic cavity, supplying blood to its mucous membrane.

3. Inferior alveolar artery, a. alveolaris inferior, - a rather large vessel, goes down, entering through the opening of the lower jaw into the canal of the lower jaw, where it passes along with the vein and nerve of the same name. In the canal, the following branches branch off from the artery:

a) dental branches, rr. dentales passing into thinner periodontal;

b) periodontal branches, rr. peridentales, suitable for teeth, periodontium, dental alveoli, gums, spongy substance of the lower jaw;
c) the maxillary-hyoid branch, r. mylohyoideus, departs from the lower alveolar artery before entering the canal of the lower jaw, goes into the maxillary-hyoid groove and supplies the maxillary-hyoid muscle and the anterior abdomen of the digastric muscle;

d) chin ramus, r. mentalis, is a continuation of the lower alveolar artery. It leaves through the chin opening on the face, splitting into a series of branches, supplying blood to the chin and lower lip and anastomoses with the branches a. labialis inferior and a. submentalis.

Pterygoid branches. 1. Middle meningeal artery, a. meningea media, is the largest branch extending from the maxillary artery. Sent upward, passes through the spinous opening into the cranial cavity, where it is divided into the frontal and parietal branches, rr. frontalis et parietalis. The latter go along the outer surface of the hard shell of the brain in the arterial grooves of the bones of the skull, supplying them with blood, as well as the temporal, frontal and parietal areas of the shell.

In the course of the middle meningeal artery, the following branches branch off from it:

a) superior tympanic artery, a. tympanica superior, - a thin vessel; having entered the tympanic cavity through the cleft of the canal of the small stony nerve, it supplies blood to its mucous membrane;

b) stony branch, r. petrosus, originates above the spinous foramen, follows laterally and posteriorly, enters the cleft of the canal of the large stony nerve. Here it anastomoses with the branch of the posterior ear artery - styloid artery, and. stylomastoidea;

c) orbital branch, r. orbitalis, thin, is directed anteriorly and, accompanying the optic nerve, enters the orbit;

d) anastomotic branch (with the lacrimal artery), r. anastomoticus (cum a. lacrimali), penetrates through the superior orbital fissure into the orbit and anastomoses with the lacrimal artery, a. lacrimalis, - a branch of the ophthalmic artery;

e) pterygoid-meningeal artery, a. pterygomeningea, departs even outside the cranial cavity, supplies blood to the pterygoid muscles, auditory tube, and palate muscles. Having entered through the oval opening into the cranial cavity, it supplies the trigeminal node with blood. Can depart directly from a. maxillaris, if the latter lies not on the lateral, but on the medial surface of the lateral pterygoid muscle.

2. Deep temporal arteries, aa. temporales profundae, represented by the anterior deep temporal artery, and. temporalis profunda anterior, and the posterior deep temporal artery, a. temporalis profunda posterior. They depart from the main trunk of the maxillary artery, go up into the temporal fossa, lying between the skull and the temporal muscle, and supply blood to the deep and lower parts of this muscle.

3. Chewing artery, a. masseterica, sometimes originates from the posterior deep temporal artery and, passing through the notch of the lower jaw to the outer surface of the lower jaw, approaches the masticatory muscle from its inner surface, supplying it with blood.

4. Posterior superior alveolar artery, a. alveolaris superior posterior, begins near the tubercle of the upper jaw with one or two or three branches. Heading down, it penetrates through the alveolar openings into the tubules of the same name of the upper jaw, where it gives off the dental branches, rr. dentales, passing into the periodontal branches, rr. peridentales, reaching the roots of the large molars of the upper jaw and gums.

5. Buccal artery, a. buccalis, is a small vessel that goes forward and downward, passes along the buccal muscle, supplies it with blood, the mucous membrane of the mouth, the gums in the upper teeth and a number of nearby facial muscles. Anastomoses with the facial artery.

6. Pterygoid branches, rr. pterygoidei, only 2 - 3, are directed to the lateral and medial pterygoid muscles.

Branches of the pterygoid-palatine part. 1. Infraorbital artery, a. infraorbitalis, passes through the lower orbital fissure into the orbit and goes into the infraorbital sulcus, then passes through the channel of the same name and through the infraorbital foramen goes to the surface of the face, giving the terminal branches to the tissues of the infraorbital region of the face.

On its way, the infraorbital artery sends the anterior superior alveolar arteries, aa. alveolares superiores anteriores, which pass through the canals in the outer wall of the maxillary sinus and, connecting with the branches of the posterior superior alveolar artery, give off the dental branches, rr. dentales, and periodontal branches, rr. peridentales, directly supplying the teeth of the upper jaw, the gums and the mucous membrane of the maxillary sinus.

2. The descending palatine artery, a. palatina descendens, in its initial section gives the artery of the pterygoid canal, a. canalis pterygoidei (can move away on its own, giving up the pharyngeal branch, r. pharyngeus), goes downward, penetrates into the large palatine canal and is divided into small and large palatine arteries, aa. palatinae minores et major, and a non-permanent pharyngeal branch, r. pharyngeus. The lesser palatine arteries pass through the lesser palatine foramen and supply the tissues of the soft palate and the tonsil. The large palatine artery leaves the canal through the large palatine opening, goes into the palatine sulcus of the hard palate; supplying blood to its mucous membrane, glands and gums; going forward, passes upward through the incisal canal and anastomoses with the posterior septal branch, r. septalis posterior. Some branches anastomose with the ascending palatine artery, a. palatina ascendens, - a branch of the facial artery, a. facialis.

3. The sphenoid-palatine artery, a. sphenopalatina, is the terminal vessel of the maxillary artery. It passes through the wedge-palatine opening into the nasal cavity and is divided here into a number of branches:

a) lateral posterior nasal arteries, aa. nasales posteriores laterales, - rather large branches, blood spills the mucous membrane of the middle and lower shells, the side wall of the nasal cavity and ends in the mucous membrane of the frontal and maxillary sinuses;

b) posterior septal branches, rr. septales posteriors, divided into two branches (upper and lower), supply blood to the mucous membrane of the nasal septum. These arteries, heading forward, anastomose with the branches of the ophthalmic artery (from the internal carotid), and in the area of \u200b\u200bthe incisal canal - with the large palatine artery and the artery of the upper lip.

II. Superficial temporal artery, a. temporalis superficialis, is the second terminal branch of the external carotid artery, which is its continuation. It originates from the neck of the lower jaw.

It goes up, passes in the thickness of the parotid gland between the external auditory canal and the head of the lower jaw, then, lying superficially under the skin, it follows over the root of the zygomatic arch, where it can be felt. Slightly above the zygomatic arch, the artery is divided into its terminal branches: the frontal branch, r. frontalis, and parietal branch, r. parietalis.

In its course, the artery gives off a number of branches.

1. Branches of the parotid gland, rr. parotidei, only 2 - 3, supply the parotid gland with blood.

2. The transverse artery of the face, a. transversa facialis, is located first in the thickness of the parotid gland, supplying it with blood, then passes horizontally along the surface of the masseter muscle between the lower edge of the zygomatic arch and the parotid duct, giving branches to the facial muscles and anastomosing with the branches of the facial artery.

3. Anterior ear branches, rr. auriculares anteriores, only 2-3, are directed to the anterior surface of the auricle, supplying blood to its skin, cartilage and muscles.

4. Middle temporal artery, a. temporalis media, heading up, pierces the temporal fascia above the zygomatic arch (from the surface to the depth) and, entering the thickness of the temporal muscle, supplies it with blood.

5. The ophthalmic artery, a. zygomaticoorbitalis, directed above the zygomatic arch forward and upward, reaching the circular muscle of the eye. It supplies blood to a number of facial muscles and anastomoses with a. transversa facialis, r. frontalis and a. lacrimalis from A. ophthalmica.

6. Frontal branch, r. frontalis, - one of the terminal branches of the superficial temporal artery, goes forward and upward and supplies the frontal abdomen of the occipital-frontal muscle, the circular muscle of the eye, the tendon helmet and the skin of the forehead.

7. Parietal branch, r. parietalis, - the second terminal branch of the superficial temporal artery, somewhat larger than the frontal branch. Sent up and posteriorly, supplies blood to the skin of the temporal region; anastomoses with the branch of the same name on the opposite side.

Table of contents of the subject "Internal base of the skull. Blood supply to the brain. Venous outflow from the brain.":

The next layer after the bones of the cranial vault is dura mater cranialis (encephali). It is loosely connected to the bones of the vault and tightly adhered to the inner base of the skull. Normally, there is no natural space between the bones and the dura mater. However, when blood accumulates here (hematoma), a space called epidural.

The hard membrane of the brain continues into the dura mater of the spinal cord.

The hard membrane of the brain gives off three processes inside the skull. One of them - the sickle of the large brain, falx cerebri - is located in the middle, in the sagittal direction, and divides the cerebral hemispheres. The second is the cerebellar sickle, falx cerebelli. - separates the cerebellar hemispheres and the third - the tentorium of the cerebellum, tentorium cerebelli - separates the large brain from the cerebellum. The posterior fak cerebri is connected to the tentorium of the cerebellum. Tentorium cerebelli is attached posteriorly along the transverse groove, on the sides - to the upper edges of the stony parts of the temporal bones.

Hard shell of the brain consists of two sheets. In the places of its attachment to the bones of the skull, the sheets diverge and form triangular canals lined with endothelium - the sinuses of the hard shell of the brain.

Arteries of the dura mater

Most the dura mater of the brain supplies middle meningeal artery, and. meningea media, - branch a. maxillaris. It enters the cranial cavity through the spinous opening, foramen spinosum. In the cranial cavity, the artery is divided into the frontal and parietal branches. The trunk of the middle meningeal artery and its branches are rather tightly connected to the dura mater, and grooves form on the bones - sulci meningei. In this regard, the artery is often damaged when the temporal bone is fractured. Frontal branch a. meningea media quite often passes over a short distance in the bone canal - this is observed at the point of convergence of four bones: frontal, parietal, temporal and wedge-shaped. The artery is accompanied by two w. meningeae mediae, which, unlike an artery, is located in the thickness of the dura mater.

Anterior meningeal artery of the dura mater, a. meningea anterior, is a branch of the anterior ethmoid artery, a. ethmoidalis anterior (from the ocular artery of the internal carotid artery system).

Posterior meningeal artery of the dura mater, a. meningea posterior, departs from the ascending pharyngeal artery, a. pharyngea ascendens (from the external carotid artery). Both of them form numerous anastomoses with a. meningea media.

Dura nerves

Dura nerves, rr. meningei, depart from the branches of the trigeminal nerve: the optic, maxillary and mandibular nerves.

We also recommend a video of the anatomy and topography of the sinuses of the dura mater

Other video tutorials on this topic are: "".

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On the neck, within the carotid triangle, the external carotid artery is covered by the facial, lingual and superior thyroid veins, lies more superficially than the internal carotid artery. Here, branches depart from it anteriorly, medially and posteriorly.

Front branches:

Superior thyroid artery (a. thyroidea superior) departs near the bifurcation of the common carotid artery below the large horn of the hyoid bone, goes arcuate forward and down to the upper pole of the thyroid gland (Fig. 1). Anastomoses with the lower thyroid artery and the superior thyroid artery of the opposite side. Gives away subhyoid branch (r. infrahyoideus), sternocleidomastoid branch (r. sternocleidomastoideus) and superior laryngeal artery (a.laringea superior), accompanying the superior laryngeal nerve and blood supply to the muscles and mucous membrane of the larynx above the glottis.

Fig. 1. Superior thyroid and lingual arteries, front view:

1 - sublingual gland; 2 - left sublingual artery and vein; 3 - left deep artery of the tongue; 4, 14 - external carotid artery; 5 - left superior thyroid artery; 6 - bifurcation of the common carotid artery; 7 - superior laryngeal artery; 8 - common carotid artery; 9 - thyroid cartilage; 10 - the left lobe of the thyroid gland; 11 - the right lobe of the thyroid gland; 12 - glandular branches of the right superior thyroid artery; 13 - the hyoid bone; 15 - the right superior thyroid artery; 16 - the right lingual artery; 17, 19 - the right hyoid artery (cut); 18 - right deep artery of the tongue

(a. lingualis) starts from the external carotid artery, goes up and anteriorly along the middle constrictor of the pharynx to the apex of the large horn of the hyoid bone, where it is crossed by the hyoid nerve (Fig. 2, 3, see Fig. 1). Further, it is located medial to the hyoid-lingual muscle, according to Pirogov's triangle (some authors call it the lingual triangle; it is bounded in front by the edge of the maxillary-hyoid muscle, from below by the tendon of the digastric muscle, above by the hypoglossal nerve). Continues in language as deep artery of the tongue (a.profunda linguae) and goes to the top of the tongue. Gives away suprahyoid branch (r. suprahyoideus) to the suprahyoid muscles; sublingual artery (a.sublingualis)passing forward and laterally and blood-pressing sublingual salivary gland and mucous membrane of the floor of the oral cavity; dorsal branches of the tongue (rr.dorsales linguae) - 1-3 branches, ascending to the back of the tongue and supplying blood to the soft palate, epiglottis, tonsil.

Fig 2. Lingual artery, left side view:

1 - lingual artery; 2 - external carotid artery; 3 - internal jugular vein; 4 - facial vein; 5 - lingual vein; 6 - suprahyoid artery; 7 - dorsal artery of the tongue; 8 - submandibular duct; 9 - artery in the frenum of the tongue; 10 - deep artery of the tongue and accompanying veins

Fig. 3. Lingual artery in the lingual triangle, side view: 1 - facial artery and vein; 2 - submandibular gland; 3 - hypoglossal muscle; 4 - hypoglossal nerve; 5 - lingual triangle; 6, 9 - lingual artery; 7 - the tendon of the digastric muscle; 8 - the hyoid bone; 10 - external carotid artery; 11 - parotid gland; 12 - stylohyoid muscle

The facial artery (a. Facialis) departs near the angle of the lower jaw, often with a common trunk with the lingual artery ( lingual-facial trunk, truncus linguofacialis), is directed forward and upward along the superior constrictor of the pharynx medial to the posterior abdomen of the digastric muscle and the stylohyoid muscle. Then it goes along the deep surface of the submandibular salivary gland, bends through the base of the lower jaw in front of the chewing muscle and ascends tortuously to the medial angle of the palpebral fissure, where it ends angular artery (a. angularis)... The latter anastomoses with the dorsal artery of the nose.

Arteries depart from the facial artery to neighboring organs:

1) ascending palatine artery (a. palatina ascendens) goes up between the stylopharyngeal and styloid muscles, penetrates through the pharyngeal-basilar fascia and supplies blood to the muscles of the pharynx, palatine tonsil, soft palate;

2) tonsillar branch (r. tonsillaris) pierces the upper pharyngeal constrictor and branches into the pharyngeal tonsil and the root of the tongue;

3) glandular branches (rr.glandulares) go to the submandibular salivary gland;

4) submental artery (a. submentalis) departs from the facial artery at the place of its bend through the base of the lower jaw and goes anteriorly under the maxillary-hyoid muscle, giving branches to it and to the digastric muscle, then comes to the chin, where it is divided into superficial branch to the chin and a deep branch, perforating the maxillary-hyoid muscle and supplying blood to the floor of the oral cavity and the hyoid salivary gland;

5) lower labial artery (a. labialis inferior) Branches below the corner of the mouth, tortuously continues between the mucous membrane of the lower lip and the circular muscle of the mouth, connecting with the artery of the same name on the other side; gives branches to the lower lip;

6) upper labial artery (a.labialis superior) departs at the level of the corner of the mouth and passes into the submucous layer of the upper lip; anastomoses with the opposite side of the artery of the same name, making up the perioral arterial circle. Gives branches to the upper lip.

Medial branch:

Ascending pharyngeal artery (a. pharyngea ascendens) - the thinnest of the cervical branches; steam room, branches off near the bifurcation of the common carotid artery, goes up, deeper than the internal carotid artery, to the pharynx and the base of the skull. Blood supplies the pharynx, soft palate and gives posterior meningeal artery (a. meningea posterior) to the dura mater and lower tympanic artery (a.tympanica inferior) to the medial wall of the tympanic cavity.

Rear branches:

Occipital artery (a. occipitalis) starts from the posterior surface of the external carotid artery, opposite the beginning of the facial artery, goes up and back between the sternocleidomastoid and digastric muscles to the mastoid process, where it lies in the mastoid notch and branches in the subcutaneous tissue of the occiput up to the crown ( fig. 4). Gives away sternocleidomastoid branches (rr.sternocleidomastoidei) to the muscle of the same name; ear branch (r. auricularis) - to the auricle; occipital branches (rr. occipitals) - to the muscles and skin of the occiput; meningeal branch (r. teningeus) - to the dura mater of the brain and descending branch (r. descendens) - to the back muscle group of the neck.

Fig. 4. External carotid artery and its branches, side view:

1 - frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery; 2 - anterior deep temporal artery; 3 - infraorbital artery; 4 - supraorbital artery; 5 - supra-block artery; 6 - maxillary artery; 7 - artery of the back of the nose; 8 - posterior superior alveolar artery; 9 - angular artery; 10 - infraorbital artery; 11 - chewing artery; 12 - lateral nasal branch of the facial artery; 13 - buccal artery; 14 - pterygoid branch of the maxillary artery; 15, 33 - facial vein; 16 - superior labial artery; 17, 32 - facial artery; 18 - lower labial artery; 19 - dental branches of the lower alveolar artery; 20 - chin branch of the lower alveolar artery; 21 - submental artery; 22 - submandibular salivary gland; 23 - glandular branches of the facial artery; 24 - thyroid gland; 25 - common carotid artery; 26 - superior laryngeal artery; 27 - superior thyroid artery; 28 - internal carotid artery; 29, 38 - external carotid artery; 30 - internal jugular vein; 31 - lingual artery; 34 - lower jaw vein; 35, 41 - occipital artery; 36 - lower alveolar artery; 37 - maxillary-hyoid branch of the lower alveolar artery; 39 - mastoid process; 40 - maxillary artery; 42 - posterior ear artery; 43 - middle meningeal artery; 44 - transverse artery of the face; 45 - posterior deep temporal artery; 46 - middle temporal artery; 47 - superficial temporal artery; 48 - parietal branch of the superficial temporal artery

Posterior ear artery (a. auricilaris posterior) sometimes departs with a common trunk with the occipital artery from the posterior semicircle of the external carotid artery, at the level of the apex of the styloid process, ascends obliquely posteriorly and upward between the cartilaginous external auditory canal and the mastoid process into the ear zone (see Fig. 4). Sends branch to the parotid gland (r. parotideus), supplies the muscles and skin of the occiput (r. occipitalis) and the auricle (r. auricularis). One of its branches - styloid artery (a. stylomastoidea) penetrates into the tympanic cavity through the styloid opening and the canal of the facial nerve, gives off branches to the facial nerve, and posterior tympanic artery (a.tympanica posterior)which mastoid branches (rr. mastoidei) blood supply to the mucous membrane of the tympanic cavity and the cells of the mastoid process (Fig. 5). The posterior ear artery anastomoses with the branches of the anterior ear and occipital arteries and with the parietal branches of the superficial temporal artery.

Fig. five.

a - inside view of the tympanic wall: 1 - the upper branch of the anterior tympanic artery; 2 - branches of the anterior tympanic artery to the incus; 3 - posterior tympanic artery; 4 - deep ear artery; 5 - the lower branch of the deep tympanic artery; 6 - anterior tympanic artery;

b - inside view of the labyrinth wall: 1 - upper branch of the anterior tympanic artery; 2 - superior tympanic artery; 3 - carotid artery; 4 - lower tympanic artery

On the face, the external carotid artery is located in the mandibular fossa, in the parenchyma of the parotid salivary gland or deeper than it, anterior and lateral to the internal carotid artery. At the level of the neck of the lower jaw, it is divided into terminal branches: the maxillary and superficial temporal arteries.

Superficial temporal artery (a. temporalis superficialis) - a thin terminal branch of the external carotid artery. It lies first in the parotid salivary gland in front of the auricle, then - above the root of the zygomatic process, it goes under the skin and is located behind the ear-temporal nerve in the temporal region. Slightly above the auricle it is divided into terminal branches: anterior, frontal (r. Frontalis), and posterior, parietal (r. parietalis)supplying blood to the skin of the areas of the cranial vault of the same name. From the superficial temporal artery depart branches to the parotid gland (rr. parotidei), anterior ear branches (rr. auriculares anteriores) to the auricle. In addition, larger branches branch off from it to the formations of the face:

1) transverse facial artery (a. transversa faciei) branches off in the thickness of the parotid salivary gland below the external auditory canal, comes out from under the anterior edge of the gland together with the buccal branches of the facial nerve and branches over the duct of the gland; supplies blood to the gland and muscles of the face. Anastomoses with the facial and infraorbital arteries;

2) zygomatic orbital artery (a. zygomaticifacialis) departs above the external auditory canal, goes along the zygomatic arch between the plates of the temporal fascia to the lateral angle of the palpebral fissure; supplies blood to the skin and subcutaneous formations in the area of \u200b\u200bthe zygomatic bone and orbit;

3) middle temporal artery (a. temporalis media) departs above the zygomatic arch, perforates the temporal fascia; supplies the temporal muscle; anastomoses with deep temporal arteries.

(a. maxillaris) - the terminal branch of the external carotid artery, but larger than the superficial temporal artery (Fig. 6, see Fig. 4). It departs in the parotid salivary gland behind and below the temporomandibular joint, goes anteriorly between the branch of the lower jaw and the pterygo-mandibular ligament parallel to and below the initial part of the ear-temporal nerve. It is located on the medial pterygoid muscle and the branches of the mandibular nerve (lingual and lower alveolar), then goes forward along the lateral (sometimes along the medial) surface of the lower head of the lateral pterygoid muscle, enters between the heads of this muscle into the pterygo-palatine fossa, where it gives off the terminal branches.

Fig. 6.

a - outside view (the branch of the jaw is removed): 1 - anterior deep temporal artery and nerve; 2 - posterior deep temporal artery and nerve; 3 - chewing artery and nerve; 4 - maxillary artery; 5 - superficial temporal artery; 6 - posterior ear artery; 7 - external carotid artery; 8 - lower alveolar artery; 9 - medial pterygoid artery and muscle; 10 - buccal artery and nerve; 11 - posterior superior alveolar artery; 12 - infraorbital artery; 13 - wedge-palatine artery; 14 - lateral pterygoid artery and muscle;

b - outside view of the septum of the nasal cavity: 1 - wedge-palatine artery; 2 - the descending palatine artery; 3 - artery of the pterygoid canal; 4 - anterior deep temporal artery and nerve; 5 - posterior deep temporal artery and nerve; 6 - middle meningeal artery; 7 - deep ear artery; 8 - anterior tympanic artery; 9 - superficial temporal artery; 10 - external carotid artery; 11 - chewing artery; 12 - pterygoid arteries; 13 - small palatine arteries; 14 - large palatine arteries; 15 - incisal artery; 16 - buccal artery; 17 - posterior superior alveolar artery; 18 - nasopalatine artery; 19 - posterior septal artery

Human anatomy S.S. Mikhailov, A.V. Chukbar, A.G. Tsybulkin

The human body is riddled with blood vessels from head to toe. They allow the body to function normally and carry nutrients and oxygen throughout the body. Among them there are such vessels that play a vital role for humans.

Carotid artery

Each of us at least once in our life damaged some part of the body, for example, when a finger was cut, blood began to flow from it. It is not difficult to stop such bleeding, since the diameter of the vessel is rather small and the pressure in it is small. In addition, there are platelets in human blood, which clog the cut, and after a couple of minutes, the blood itself stops flowing.

But this does not always happen: in the human body there are vessels that differ in both their large diameter and the pressure of the blood that moves through them. They are usually the most important in the human body, and their damage and lack of medical attention can lead to serious blood loss. One of these is the carotid artery.

This blood vessel is a paired artery that starts in the chest and branches out towards the head. Because of this, its main functions can be considered the blood supply to the brain, eyes and other parts of the human head.

More about the structure and its functions

The carotid artery has two branches: right and left. The first originates in the region of the shoulder trunk. The left artery, in turn, begins in the region of the aortic arch. Due to these anatomical features, the left artery is a couple of centimeters longer than the right one. Then it moves vertically upward, located in the neck, then branches and is located in different parts of the head.

The main function of this artery is to supply blood to the brain. This can only happen when this vessel does not have pathologies and various diseases that interfere with normal blood circulation. When the arteries become blocked, the person is more likely to need surgery.

External carotid artery

This type of artery is considered one of the main components of one common trunk of the carotid artery. It starts from a single artery, is at the level of the carotid triangle, one of its parts. First, it passes closer to the middle of the artery located inside, and then much more lateral to it.

Initially, this artery is covered with muscle, and if we consider its location in the area of \u200b\u200bthe carotid triangle, then it can be observed under the subcutaneous muscle located in the neck. The artery does not end there, it divides. In the area of \u200b\u200bthe lower jaw, approximately at the level of the neck, the first branches of the external carotid artery appear. They are represented by the maxillary and superficial temporal artery. Further, other branches of the external carotid artery appear, they diverge in different directions in the corresponding directions. Therefore, the anterior, middle and posterior branch of the external carotid artery is defined here. Each of them is responsible for the normal functioning of certain parts of the human body, supplying them with nutrients and oxygen.

Front group

It is these areas related to the external branch of the carotid artery trunk that include quite impressive vessels. The peculiarity of this group is that it allows blood to flow to the organs located in the face and throat. Therefore, the functioning of the larynx, face, tongue, thyroid gland depends on their normal work. From the common vessel, which is the branches of the external carotid artery, there are three main vessels, rather large in size. Then there is another division into smaller vessels, this differentiation allows blood to be supplied to all the necessary parts of the body.

The anterior group of branches of the external carotid artery includes three main vessels, each of which has a specific function and location.

Superior thyroid artery

Its branch occurs at the level of the horns at the very beginning of the hyoid bone. This arrangement allows this particular artery to supply blood to the thyroid gland and, of course, the parathyroid gland. Also, thanks to this artery, blood flows to the larynx, passing through the superior artery in the area of \u200b\u200bthe mastoid muscle.

After that, she, like most of the vessels in the human body, separates again. And the sublingual and cricothyroid branches appear in the superior thyroid artery. One of them, namely the sublingual, becomes the main vessel that feeds the nearby muscles, and

As for the cricothyroid branch, it allows blood to flow to the corresponding muscle. After that, it is connected to a vessel similar to it on the other side.

The superior laryngeal artery allows blood to flow to the epiglottis and larynx. With its help, it seems possible to enrich the membranes of these organs with oxygen, as well as those located around the muscles.

Lingual artery

This vessel, like the previous ones, is a component of the branch of the external carotid artery; a branch occurs just above one of the vessels, in particular the thyroid. This happens in the area of \u200b\u200bthe hyoid bone, then it moves and gradually reaches the area of \u200b\u200bthe Pirogov triangle. Then the lingual artery is directed to the point from which it got its name, that is, to the tongue itself, it is located below. Although. in comparison with other arteries, the lingual is considered not so big, it also has its own smaller vessels.

For example, the deep artery of the tongue looks like a large branch of the lingual artery. Its location is quite interesting: first, it rises up and reaches the so-called base of the tongue. Then he continues to move along it and reaches the very tip. This vessel is surrounded by several muscles, in particular, the lingual and the lower longitudinal.

In addition, there is a suprahyoid branch, its main function is the blood supply to the hyoid bone. Accordingly, it is located along the upper edge of this bone. The sublingual artery is located in the area of \u200b\u200bthe hyoid muscle, just above it. Its functional features are in the blood supply to a part of the oral cavity, thanks to which oxygen is supplied to all components of the human oral cavity. This number includes the oral mucosa, salivary glands, and even the gums. The dorsal branches have a peculiar arrangement, so they can be observed in the area of \u200b\u200bone of the muscles, in this case the hyoid.

Facial artery

This type of vessel forks in the area of \u200b\u200bthe corner of the lower jaw, and then goes through the gland located nearby, that is, the submandibular. It is not for nothing that this vessel is called the facial artery, since, starting from the neck, it goes through the area of \u200b\u200bthe lower jaw, gradually moving to the area of \u200b\u200bthe face. Then he goes forward and moves to the top. The tips of the vessels end in the area of \u200b\u200bthe corners of the mouth, and another branch reaches the eyes. In addition, the artery itself includes additional vessels, respectively, other branches appear.

Despite the fact that there are mainly branches of the external carotid artery in the neck, the smaller arteries included in the group are located in the face and part of the human mouth. The amygdala branch goes to the palatine tonsil, and from the ramification goes across the palate. It also goes to the base of the tongue, reaching there along the wall of the human oral cavity.

As for the palatine artery, its location is directly from the very base of the facial artery, which is part of a group called the anterior branches of the external carotid artery. The ascending palatine artery ends in the pharynx region, in particular, its mucous membrane and, in addition, the palatine tonsil. The latter branches also extend to the tubes responsible for normal hearing.

The sublingual artery runs through the hyoid muscle, more specifically, through the outer surface of this muscle. The ends of the vessel move to the chin and certain cervical muscles.

Back group

The posterior branch of the external carotid artery, like the previous ones, has its own branches of the vessels. The ear extends from it, and it is in this place that the occipital artery originates. With their help, blood is supplied to the visible inner part of the ear. In addition, thanks to these arteries, blood flows to the muscles of the neck located in the back, in the back of the head, as well as the canal of the facial nerve. A distinctive feature of this branch is that it tends to penetrate

Occipital artery

It departs separately, is almost as high as the front. Its location is in the area of \u200b\u200bthe digastric muscle, located under it, after which it moves into the groove near the temple. Further, its path passes under the skin, where it is located, the back of the head is involved, and the branching occurs in the epidermis of the occipital region.

Having gone all this way, they are connected with the same branches that go from the opposite side. Connection is carried out with other branches, some vessels of the spinal column.

The occipital artery is divided into several smaller vessels, respectively, the ear, descending, mastoid branches appear. The first goes straight to the visible inner part of the human ear, and after passing it, it becomes one with the other branches of the posterior ear artery. Descending reaches the most secret corners, as it goes to the neck area that is farther than the rest. As for the mastoid, it lies in the lining of the human brain, in the corresponding channels available there.

Posterior ear artery

The branches of the external and internal carotid arteries play an important role in the human body, as well as their smallest branches. For example, this vessel is directed obliquely backward, it goes from the digastric muscle, then it spreads in this way: it passes from the edge of the posterior abdomen. It also splits into three smaller branches. One of these vessels will be the occipital branch.

Its location corresponds to the base and allows blood to flow into the skin in the occipital region. The ear ramus has made its way along the back of the ear and allows blood to be supplied to the visible areas of the inner ear of a person. The styloid artery plays an equally important role: the facial nerve largely depends on its normal functioning, because it is to it that blood flows, the location partially corresponds to the temporal bone.

Middle group

The middle group of branches of the external carotid artery has fewer branches in comparison with the previous ones. In fact, this group includes one artery, which then branches into a number of smaller vessels, but this does not diminish its importance.

The medial branches of the external carotid artery include the pharyngeal ascending artery and other vessels that make it possible to supply nutrients, and most importantly, oxygen, to those muscles that are located on the face, that is, nourish the lips, cheeks, etc.

Ascending pharyngeal artery

After its branch, this artery takes a direction towards the pharynx and passes along its wall. The branching of this vessel occurs so that the posterior meningeal artery goes in the direction of the tympanic part and spreads further through the tympanic tubule, located in one of its cavities, in this case the lower one.

End branches

The terminal branches of the external carotid artery are a small number of blood vessels that are part of the carotid artery. This branch has two arteries, namely the maxillary and the superficial-temporal. They vary in size, and other vessels extending from them allow blood to be transported to distant parts of the body.

Superficial temporal artery

This vessel is considered a continuation of the external carotid artery. Its passage corresponds to the visible surface of the inner part of the ear, namely its front wall, the artery is located under the skin. The movement goes up and towards the temple area. If it is necessary to feel the pulsation, point the branches of the external carotid artery in this place. It is quite simple to determine the beating of the blood flow here.

Then another division occurs: the parietal, as well as the frontal artery appears. This happens at the level of the corner of the eye, located near the temporal region. These arteries carry blood to the forehead, crown, and supracranial muscle.

The terminal branches of the external carotid artery include a superficial vessel, which is divided into five smaller ones. One of them is the transverse facial artery. This blood vessel is located in the parotid gland, its duct. Then it moves towards the cheeks and is located in the skin. The vessels spread in the infraorbital region and reach another type of muscle tissue - mimic.

The ophthalmic eye allows blood to flow to some muscles of the eye, passing through the small zygomatic arch. The anterior ear go to the ear, namely its visible surface of the inner part, there is also a middle temporal artery and branches located in the region of the gland located here.

The maxillary artery does not go by one trunk and is also divided into other vessels, in this case several sections are distinguished, one of which is the jaw. It is he who includes the smaller vessels extending from him, for example, this is the deep ear artery. There is also a fairly large artery called the inferior alveolar artery. The most dense among the vessels of this group is the middle meningal, located in the direction of the cerebral membrane.

Conclusion

The above information shows what the external carotid artery is. The branch topography divides it into 4 groups. All of them are important for a person, and a malfunction of one of them can affect not only problems in the area of \u200b\u200ba certain part of the body, but also the work of the whole organism. An important role is also played by small vessels that extend from each branch, since they allow supplying blood to the area of \u200b\u200bthe eyes, cheeks, chin, and various parts of the head, pass both in the muscles and are located closer to the epithelium.