02.1 Major Blood Vessels in the Head and Neck

Question 1

What is the blood supply to the thyroid?

Answer 1

Superior thyroid artery (ECA)

Inferior thyroid artery (subclavian)

Question 2

Where does the common carotid artery bifurcate?

Answer 2

C4/Superior border of thyroid cartilage

Question 3

What are the borders of the carotid triangle?

Answer 3

Digastric
Sternocleidomastoid
Omohyoid

Question 4

What nerves are in the carotid triangle?

Answer 4

Vagus
Hypoglossal
Spinal accessory

Question 5

What are the branches of the external carotid artery in order?

Answer 5

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

Question 6

What are the terminal ECA branches?

Answer 6

Maxillary

Superficial temporal

Question 7

What are the layers of the scalp?

Answer 7

Skin
Connective tissue
Aponeurosis
Loose connective tissue (with blood vessels)
Periosteum

Question 8

What is the blood supply to the scalp?

Answer 8

Supraorbital (ICA)
Supratrochlear (ICA)
Superficial temporal (ECA)
Posterior auricular (ECA)
Occipital (ECA)

Question 9

Why does the scalp bleed profusely?

Answer 9

Anastomoses

Connective tissue limits constriction

Question 10

What is the venous drainage of the scalp?

Answer 10

Superficial temporal vein
Posterior auricular vein
Occipital vein

Question 11

How can infection of the scalp cause meningitis?

Answer 11

Via the emissary vein

Dural venous sinuses

Question 12

Where is the cavernous sinus?

Answer 12

Upper surface of sphenoid bone

Question 13

What is the cavernous sinus?

Answer 13

Plexus of thin walled veins

Question 14

What is in the cavernous sinus?

Answer 14

Internal carotid

CNIII, IV, V1, V2, VI

Question 15

Why can an infection easily track back from the face to the cavernous sinus?

Answer 15

Veins of the face are valveless