External carotid artery

Question 1

Superior thyroid artery path and branch

Answer 1

Superior laryngeal artery, pierces through the thyrohyoid membrane

Question 2

Ascending pharyngeal artery path/location + branches

Answer 2

Originates medially, above the superior thyroid artery

Branches: Posterior meningeal artery, inferior tympanic artery (stylomastoid) + (tonsillary branch)

Question 3

Lingual artery path/location + branches

Answer 3

Arises near the great horn of the hyoid bone, second anterior branch, gives off dorsal lingual, sublingual artery + palatine tonsil branch

Question 4

Facial artery path/location + branches

Answer 4

Originates above the lingual artery, goes over the mandibular angle, there it can be palpated. The terminal branch is the angular artery which anastomoses with the ophtalmic artery, additional branches are: ascending palatine, submental, inferior and superior labial branches.

Question 5

Which branch of the external carotid artery is located the most posterior?

Answer 5

Occipital artery, it goes through occipital groove

Question 6

Posterior auricular artery path/location + branches

Answer 6

The highest out of all posterior branches, lies between the mastoid process and the auricle. Gives off 2 branches: posterior tympanic and stylomastoid

Question 7

Branches of the superficial temporal artery

Answer 7

Frontal and parietal branch. Transverse facial, zygomatico orbital

Question 8

Which region is supplied by the maxillary artery?

Answer 8

deep facial regions

Question 9

Explain the projection/path of the maxillary artery

Answer 9

• arises below the temporomandibular joint
• turns posterior to the neck of the mandible
• travels towards the deep structures of the face
• there it goes in between the masticatory muscles
• after that it ascends to the pterygopalatine fossa

Question 10

How did we divide the course of the maxillary artery

Answer 10

1. Mandibular portion
2. Pterygoid portion
3. Pterygomaxillary portion

Question 11

Explain/describe the mandibular portion of the maxilla

Answer 11

Passes horizontaly behind the neck of the mandible

Question 12

Explain/describe the pterygoid portion of the maxillary artery

Answer 12

Ascends obliquely, and supplies the lateral pterygoid muscle in particular

Question 13

Explain/descibe the pterygomaxillary portion of the maxillary artery

Answer 13

Continues ascending, passes through the pterygomaxillary fissure to enter the pterygopalatine fossa.

Question 14

Name all the branches of the mandibular part of the maxillary artery

Answer 14

Deep auricular (extends to the temporomandibular joint and external acoustic meatus)
Anterior tympanic
Inferior alveolar - branches off caudally, goes into the mandibular canal and terminates as the mental artery
Mylohyoid branch - created before the entering the mandibular canal
Middle meningeal artery - passes through the foramen spinosum, where it gives off an anterior and a parietal branch. It’s the largest artery supplying the dura mater

Question 15

Name all the branches of the second part of the maxillary artery

Answer 15

Masseteric
anterior deep temporal
posterior deep temporal 
pterygoid branches
buccal a.

Question 16

name all the branches of the third (final) part of the maxillary artery

Answer 16

Posterior superior alveolar artery - enters the maxillary sinus. Supplies molars and premolars
Infraorbital - passes through the infraorbital fissure
Descending palatine artery - arises caudally and later branches into greater and lesser palatine arteries
Sphenopalatine artery - passes through the sphenopalatine foramen and supplies the posteroinferior part of the lateral wall and the septum of nasal cavity.