Blood Supply of the Head and Neck

Question 1

Describe the 4 key arteries

• what do they supply
• descibe how they all interlink

Answer 1

SUPPLY THE HEAD
External carotid
Internal carotid
Vertebral

CONFINED TO THE NECK
Thyrocervical trunk

Collateral blood supply
All stem form the aortic arch

Question 2

Describe the structure of the aortic arch on the left and right hand side

Answer 2

Right
-R brachiocephalic trunk => R subclavian (found under clavicle), R common carotid

Left

• L common carotid
• L subclavian

Question 3

Describe how the external and internal carotids arise

Answer 3

Branch at the upper border of the thyroid cartilage

Question 4

What are the branches of the ECA

-what do they supply

Answer 4

ECA branches => anterior and posterior of head

• superior thyroid => below hyoid and descends => thyroid
• ascending pharyngeal
• lingual => mouth and salivary glands
• facial => superficial facial structures
• occipital => occipital area
• posterior auricular => auricular area
• maxillary => deep to zygomatic arch => deep facial structures
• superficial temporal => temporal area

Question 5

What are the branches of the ICA

-what do they supply

Answer 5

Deeper in neck

Carotid canal at base of skull => brain supply

Opthalmic arteries => eye, upper nose, forehead

Question 6

What are the 2 branches of the subclavian?

Where do these branches emerge from

Answer 6

Vertebral => small spinal arteries to supply surrounding structures/enters skull via foramen magnum
Thryocervical trunk => supplies thyroid and neck muscles
-inferior thyroid artery => branches to muscles, pharynx, larynx
-ascending cervical artery => between anterior scalene, longus capitus, branches to SC, spine and membranes
-transverse cervical artery => between anterior scalene and brachial plexus => trapezius
-suprascapular artery => behind and gives branches to SCM

First 1/3 of subclavian, marked by scalene anterior

Question 7

How does the vertebral artery relate to the internal carotid artery

Answer 7

Vertebral arteries => basilar artery

Basilar artery + internal carotid = anastomoses at CofW

Question 8

Describe the drainage of blood in the brain superficially and deeply

Answer 8

Superficial drain into superficial venous sinuses

Deep veins drain inferiority into great cerebral vein => straight sinus

Network of sinuses drain into the sigmoid sinus => enter IJV via foramen magnum

Question 9

Describe the venous drainage of the head and face

Answer 9

Veins generally accompany arteries

Anterior face => superficial network into IJV (under SCM)
Scalp and lateral face => EJV (on top of SCM)

IJV, EJV, vertebral veins => L and R brachiocephalic vein => SVC