External Carotid Artery
Arteria carotis externa is the Latin pronunciation for External Carotid Artery. It is a major artery for the Head and Neck. It arises from the Common Carotid Artery, which divides into external carotid and internal carotid arteries.
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External Carotid Artery
External Carotid Artery starts at the level of the upper region of Thyroid Cartilage. It takes a slight curve and goes down to the space behind the Neck of the Mandible. There, in the Parotid Gland (major salivary gland), it divides into Superficial Temporal and Maxillary Artery. Due to a large number of branches that it gives off, it diminishes in size while moving back up the Neck. The artery is superficial at the origin and is located in the Carotid Triangle (anterior triangle of the neck).
The arterial blood supply of the External Carotid Artery from inferior to superior region is as follows. (i) Arising in Carotid Triangle Superior Thyroid Artery Ascending Pharyngeal Artery Lingual Artery Facial Artery Occipital Artery (ii) Posterior Auricular Artery (iii) Terminal Branches Maxillary Artery Superficial Temporal Artery
The common pathology affecting the External Carotid Artery is the Carotid Artery Disease which is caused by the buildup of Plaque. The disease causes to decrease the blood flow to the brain leading to Stroke.
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