Blood Vessels Of The Head And Neck Flashcards
At what vertebral level does the common carotid artery bifurcate into its internal and external branches?
C4
Where do the right and left common carotid arteries originate from?
Right common carotid artery - brachiocephalic artery behind the sternoclavicular joint
Left common carotid artery - arch of the aorta
What is a carotid sinus massage used for?
Why does it work?
Treats supra-ventricular tachycardia
Baroreceptors regulate blood pressure and heart rate
What is the clinical importance of the carotid triangle?
Access site for vagus and hypoglossal nerves
Contains internal jugular vein - central lines
Contains important artery/ies (bifurcation a are common sites of atherosclerotic plaques)
What structures run through the cavernous sinus?
Carotid artery
Cranial nerve III - Oculomotor
Cranial nerve IV - Trochlear
Cranial nerve VI - Abducens
Branches of Cranial nerve V (trigeminal) - ophthalmic and maxillary
Which branch of the internal carotid may be occluded leading to loss of vision?
Central retinal artery
Name clinically important branches of the internal carotid artery
Ophthalmic artery
Anterior cerebral artery
Middle cerebral artery
Posterior communicating artery
Name the branches of the external carotid
Hint: Some Anatomists Like Freaking Out Poor Medical Students
Superior thyroid Ascending pharyngeal Lingual Facial Occipital Posterior auricular Maxillary Superficial temporal
Which branch of the external carotid artery is associated with giant cell arteritis?
Why is this a medical emergency?
Superficial temporal artery
Without treatment, can cause permanent eyesight loss
Which arteries supply blood to the scalp?
Which branch of the carotid arteries do they arise from?
Internal carotid:
Supraorbital artery
Supratrochlear artery
External carotid:
Superficial temporal artery
Posterior auricular artery
Occipital artery
What is the clinical relevance of the middle meningeal artery?
It lies under the pteranodon and therefore is frequently injured in head trauma, leading to extradural haematoma
Which vessels drain the scalp?
Emissary veins. These drain into dural venous sinuses
What is the danger triangle of the face
Area of the face in which the facial vein may drain backwards into the cavernous sinus, giving a risk of infection to structures in the skull
How do you take jugular venous pressure?
Use right internal jugular vein
Patient tilted at 45 degrees
Head tilted slightly to left
Look for highest point of pulsation
Measure from sternal angle and add 5cm
This gives pressure in cmH20
