2.1 Major blood vessels of the Head and Neck

Question 1

Where do the right subclavian and right common carotid originate from?

Answer 1

Brachiocephalic trunk

Question 2

What arteries arise from the subclavian artery?

Answer 2

Vertebral artery, Internal thoracic artery and Thyrocervical arteries

Question 3

What does the thyrocervical trunk supply?

Answer 3

Ascending cervical and transverse cervical supply to the neck
Suprascapular artery- shoulder
Inferior thyroid artery- lower pole of thyroid

Question 4

Describe the route of the vertebral arteries

Answer 4

From subclavian artery to up through transverse foramina in C1-C6, supplies the brain

Question 5

At what level does the common carotid bifurcate?

Answer 5

The superior border of the thyroid cartilage

Question 6

What is the carotid sinus?

Answer 6

Swelling at the region of the bifurcation of the common carotid. Location of baroreceptors to detect changes in arterial blood pressure

Question 7

What is the carotid body?

Answer 7

Peripheral chemoreceptors which detect arterial O2 found in the bifurcation of the common carotid

Question 8

Describe a carotid artery atheroma

Answer 8

Atheroma formation in the bifurcation of the common carotid. Causes narrowing of the artery and turbulent flow. Emboli can easily move into the brain and cause a stroke

Question 9

What is the carotid sheath?

Answer 9

A layer of fascia surrounding the common carotid, IJV, vagus nerve and deep cervical lymph nodes

Question 10

Name the branches of the external carotid artery

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Which arteries supply the scalp?

Answer 11

Occipital
Posterior auricular
Superficial temporal
Supratrochlear 
Supraorbital

Question 12

Which artery do the supratrochlear and supraorbital originate from?

Answer 12

Opthalmic artery

Question 13

List the layers of the scalp

Answer 13

Skin
Connective tissue
Aponeurosis
Loose connective tissue
Periosteum 
(Spells SCALP)

Question 14

Where do the vessels of the scalp lie?

Answer 14

Subcutaneous connective tissue layer

Question 15

Why can damage to the scalp cause profuse bleeding?

Answer 15

The arteries are closely attached to the connective tissue and there are many anastamoses

Question 16

How can deep lacerations to the skull cause profuse bleeding?

Answer 16

If the epicranial aponeurosis is damaged the opposing pull of the occipitofrontalis muscle keeps the scalp pulled open

Question 17

Name the major superficial veins in the scalp

Answer 17

Superficial temporal
Occipital
Posterior auricular

Question 18

What do the supratrochlear and the supraorbital veins merge to become?

Answer 18

Angular vein

Question 19

Where does the angular vein drain into?

Answer 19

Facial vein

Question 20

Where do the veins of the scalp drain to?

Answer 20

Dural venous sinuses

Question 21

Which veins drain the blood from the skull to the dural venous sinuses?

Answer 21

Diploic veins

Question 22

Which veins drain the blood from the outer layer of the scalp to the dural venous sinuses?

Answer 22

Emissory veins

Question 23

Where do the dural venous sinuses lie?

Answer 23

Between the periosteal and the meningeal layers of the dura

Question 24

What is the cavernous sinus?

Answer 24

A plexus of extremely thin-walled veins on the upper surface of the sphenoid

Question 25

What other structures lie in the cavernous sinus?

Answer 25

Internal carotid artery

CN III, IV, VI, V1 and V2

Question 26

What artery supplies the skull with blood?

Answer 26

Middle meningeal artery

Question 27

Where is the middle meningeal artery vulnerable?

Answer 27

The pterion

Question 28

What happens if the middle meningeal artery ruptures?

Answer 28

Extradural haemorrhage- pulls periosteal layer off the skull

Question 29

What is a craniotomy?

Answer 29

Surgery to gain access inside the cranial cavity

Question 30

Where does the IJV lie?

Answer 30

Under the SCM