EXTERNAL CAROTID ARTERY
- External carotid artery
- Course and relations
- begins in the carotid triangle
- at the level of upper border of thyroid cartilage
- opposite the disc between
- third and fourth cervical vertebra
- runs upwards and backwards
- terminates behind mandible
- dividing in to
- superficial temporal artery
- slightly curved course
- anteromedial to ICA in lower part
- anterolateral to ICA in upper part
- IN THE CAROTID TRIANGLE
- ABOVE THE CAROTID TRIANGLE
- Branches
- Anterior
- Superior thyroid
- course
- arises just below greater cornu of hyoid bone
- clinically
- branches
- superior laryngeal artery
- pierces thyrohyoid membrane
- sternocleidomastoid branch
- cricothyroid branch
- posterior
- Occipital
- Posterior auricular
- Medial
- Ascending pharyngeal
- Terminal
- Superficial Temporal
Discussion