Arterial Supply of Head and Neck Flashcards
What does the arterial supply of the head and neck arise from?
Branches of the right and left common carotid arteries and vertebral arteries
What arises from the brachiocephalic trunk on the right?
- Subclavian
- Common carotid
What do the subclavian arteries give rise to?
- Internal thoracic
- Thyrocervical trunk
- Vertebral arteries
Where does the internal thoracic artery go?
Inside the ribcage
What is the internal thoracic artery commonly used in?
Coronary artery bypass
What does the thyrocervical trunk give rise to?
- Ascending cervical and transverse cervical
- Suprascapular
- Inferior thyroid
What does the ascending cervical and transverse cervical supply?
The neck
What does the suprascapular artery supply?
The shoulder
What does the inferior thyroid supply?
The lower pole of the thyroid gland
What do the vertebral arteries supply?
The posterior neck and posterior parts of the brain
What course does the vertebral artery take from its origin?
It descends through the transverse foramina of the cervical vertebrae (except C7) and enters the subarachnoid space just between the atlas and occipital bone. It then passes jup through the foramen magnum, curving aroudn the medulla, to join the vertebral artery from the other side
What does the vertebral artery eventually form?
The basilar artery
Where does the basilar artery run?
Along the anterior aspect of the brainstem
What branches does the common carotid give off in the neck?
None
What does the right common carotid artery originate from?
The brachiocephalic artery
Where does the right common carotid artery branch from the brachiocephalic artery?
Behind the right sternoclavicular joint
Where does the left common carotid artery arise from?
The arch of the aorta
What is the result of the differing origins of the right and left common carotid arteries?
The elft common carotid is slightly longer
Where does the left common carotid course before entering the neck?
In the mediastinum, for about 2cm
What is each common carotid artery enclosed within?
A carotid sheath
What is the carotid sheath?
A fascial envelope enclosing and seperating several structures a
What structures lie in the carotid sheath?
- Carotid artery
- Internal jugular vein
- Vagus nerve
- Deep cervical lymph nodes
How does the sheath differ over the carotid artery compared to other areas?
It is thicker
How does the carotid artery lie in the carotid sheath relative to other structures?
Lies medially within the sheath
How does the sheath over the internal jugular vein differ in comparison to other areas?
It is thinner
Where does the internal jugular vein lie in the carotid sheath relative to other structures?
Behind and inbetween vessels
Where is the carotid sheath found, relative to muscles in the area?
Deep to the sternocleidomastoid muscle
What is the carotid sheath derived from?
- The prevertebral layer of cervical fascia posteriorly
- The pretracheal layer anteromedially
- The investing layer anterolaterally
Where does the sympathetic trunk lie relative to the carotid sheath?
Outside the sheath, medially and behind it
Where do the common carotids terminate?
At the upper border of the thyroid cartilage