Arteries of H&N Flashcards
What are the two main arteries of the neck and what do branches do they give off/split into
Common carotid
- Internal carotid
- External carotid
Subclavian
- Vertebral
- Internal thoracic
- Thyrocervical trunk
What branches come off the thyrocervical trunk
Inferior thyroid
Ascending cervical
Transverse cervical
Suprascapula
Describe the course of the vertebral artery
Ascends through transverse foramina C6 -> C1
Enters subarachnoid space between atlas and occipital bone -> passes up through foramen magnum
Then curves around medulla to join vertebral artery of other side -> forms basilar artery
Where does the common carotid artery bifurcate
Superior border of thyroid cartilage (C4)
At the bifurcation point, what are the two structure present and what are their functions
Carotid sinus - location of baroreceptors
Carotid body - location of peripheral chemoreceptors of O2
What are the branches of the internal carotid artery
Opthalmic artery
Supra-orbital artery
Supratrochlear artery
What are the branches of the external carotid artery
Superior thyroid
Lingual
Facial
Ascending pharyngeal
Occipital
Posterior auricular
Superficial temporal
Maxillary
What arteries branch off of the maxillary artery and what do they supply
Sphenopalatine - supplies nasal septum
Middle meningeal - supplies dura and skull. Splits into anterior and posterior after entering skull through foramen spinosum
What arteries form an anastomosis in the scalp to supply it
Supra-orbital
Supratrochlear
Superficial temporal
Posterior auricular
Occipitial
What are the superficial arteries of the face
What types of haemorrhage can occur in the head
Extradural
Subdural
Subarachnoid
Intracerebral
What vessel tends to bleed in an extradural haemorrhage
Arterial bleed - middle meningeal artery
What vessel bleeds in a subdural haemorrhage and who are at greater risk and why
Venous bleed from bridging veins
Elderly people as cerebral atrophy puts bridging veins under more tension so are more easily sheared
What vessel bleeds in a subarachnoid haemorrhage
Arterial bleed either secondary to trauma or due to spontaneous rupture of blood vessel
Circle of Willis
