8). Head and Neck Blood Supply and Lymphatics

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering head and neck vascular anatomy, cerebral circulation, venous drainage, and lymphatic system based on lecture notes.

Direct Branches of the Aorta

The three direct arterial branches originating from the aortic arch: Right Brachiocephalic Artery, Left Common Carotid Artery, and Left Subclavian Artery.

Common Carotid Artery

A branchless artery that travels superiorly along the neck, lateral to the trachea and larynx, to the superior border of the thyroid cartilage.

Carotid Sinus

A dilated area at the bifurcation of the common carotid artery containing baroreceptors that measure blood pressure via Cranial Nerve IX.

Carotid Body

A structure located at the bifurcation of the common carotid artery containing chemoreceptors that detect blood chemistry via Cranial Nerves IX and X.

Carotid Triangle

A subdivision of the anterior triangle of the neck containing the bifurcation of the common carotid artery, carotid sinus, and carotid body.

External Carotid Artery

An artery supplying the extracranial tissues of the head and neck, including the oral cavity, categorized into anterior, medial, posterior, and terminal branches.

SALFOPMS

A mnemonic representing the branches of the external carotid artery: Superior thyroid, Ascending pharyngeal, Lingual, Facial, Occipital, Posterior auricular, Maxillary, and Superficial temporal.

Superior Thyroid Artery

An anterior branch of the external carotid artery that branches into the infrahyoid artery, sternocleidomastoid branch, superior laryngeal artery, and cricothyroid branch.

Infrahyoid Artery

A branch of the superior thyroid artery that supplies the infrahyoid region.

Sternocleidomastoid Branch of Superior Thyroid Artery

A specific branch of the superior thyroid artery that supplies blood to the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

Superior Laryngeal Artery

A branch derived from the superior thyroid artery that provides blood supply to the larynx.

Cricothyroid Branch

A branch originating from the superior thyroid artery supplying the cricothyroid region.

Lingual Artery

An anterior branch of the external carotid artery located superior to the hyoid bone that supplies the suprahyoid muscles and floor of the mouth.

Sublingual Artery

A branch of the lingual artery responsible for supplying blood to the floor of the mouth.

Dorsal Lingual Artery

A branch of the lingual artery that supplies blood to the posterior/dorsal portion of the tongue.

Deep Lingual Artery

A branch of the lingual artery supplying the deep structures and apex of the tongue.

Suprahyoid Branches of Lingual Artery

Branches of the lingual artery dedicated to supplying the suprahyoid muscles.

Facial Artery

A highly tortuous anterior branch of the external carotid artery running anteriorly and superiorly near the angle of the mouth and along the side of the nose.

Medial Canthus

The terminal location at the inner corner of the eye/side of the nose where the facial artery ends.

Major Branches of Facial Artery

The arterial branches including ascending palatine, glandular branches, submental, inferior labial, superior labial, and angular arteries.

Ascending Pharyngeal Artery

The medial branch of the external carotid artery arising close to its origin, giving off pharyngeal and meningeal branches.

Posterior Branches of External Carotid Artery

The two posteriorly directed arterial branches of the external carotid artery: the occipital artery and posterior auricular artery.

Posterior Auricular Artery

A posterior branch of the external carotid artery that supplies the internal ear via its auricular branch and the mastoid air cells via the stylomastoid artery.

Stylomastoid Artery

A branch of the posterior auricular artery that provides vascular supply to the mastoid air cells.

Terminal Branches of External Carotid Artery

The two ending divisions of the external carotid artery: the superficial temporal artery and maxillary artery.

Maxillary Artery

The larger terminal branch of the external carotid artery supplying the upper and lower jaws, muscles of mastication, palate, and nose.

First Part of Maxillary Artery

Also called the mandibular part; begins at the neck of the mandibular condyle within the parotid salivary gland.

Second Part of Maxillary Artery

Also called the pterygoid part; named for its course traveling between the two heads of the lateral pterygoid muscle.

Third Part of Maxillary Artery

Also called the pterygopalatine part; located in the pterygopalatine fossa deep and inferior to the eye.

Branches of the Third Part of Maxillary Artery

The branches arising from the pterygopalatine part: PSA, descending palatine, greater palatine, lesser palatine, infraorbital, ASA, and sphenopalatine arteries.

Posterior Superior Alveolar Artery

An artery entering the PSA foramina on the maxillary tuberosity to supply dental and alveolar branches to the posterior maxillary teeth.

Middle Superior Alveolar Artery

An artery that may arise as a separate branch from the infraorbital artery to supply the middle maxillary teeth.

Descending Palatine Artery

A branch of the third part of the maxillary artery that supplies the hard and soft palate via greater and lesser palatine branches.

Greater Palatine Artery

A branch of the descending palatine artery passing through the greater palatine foramen to supply the hard palate.

Lesser Palatine Artery

A branch of the descending palatine artery passing through the lesser palatine foramen to supply the soft palate.

Infraorbital Artery

A branch of the third part of the maxillary artery that may share a common trunk with the PSA artery and gives rise to the ASA artery.

Anterior Superior Alveolar Artery

An artery originating from the infraorbital artery that provides dental and alveolar supply to anterior maxillary teeth.

Primary Brain Blood Supply

The dual arterial supply system composed of the internal carotid arteries and vertebral arteries.

Basilar Artery

An artery formed by the confluence of the left and right vertebral arteries, which subsequently bifurcates into the two posterior cerebral arteries.

Circle of Willis

An arterial anastomotic ring at the base of the brain providing collateral circulation between anterior and posterior systems.

Posterior Communicating Artery

An arterial branch forming part of the Circle of Willis that connects the internal carotid artery to the posterior cerebral artery.

Anterior Communicating Artery

An arterial vessel in the Circle of Willis that joins the right and left anterior cerebral arteries.

Anterior Circulation of the Brain

The brain vascular network composed of the internal carotid artery, middle cerebral artery, and anterior cerebral artery.

Posterior Circulation of the Brain

The brain vascular network composed of the vertebral artery, basilar artery, and posterior cerebral artery.

Collateral Branches of Internal Carotid Artery

Branches arising from the internal carotid artery prior to termination: Ophthalmic Artery, Posterior Communicating Artery, and Anterior Choroidal Artery.

Terminal Branches of Internal Carotid Artery

The two main end branches of the internal carotid artery: Middle Cerebral Artery and Anterior Cerebral Artery.

Vertebral Artery

A major branch originating from the subclavian artery that ascends through cervical vertebrae to supply the brain and spinal cord.

Branches of Vertebral Artery

Arterial branches including the Anterior Spinal Artery, Posterior Spinal Arteries, and Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery (PICA).

Branches of Basilar Artery

Arterial branches including Anterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery (AICA), Labyrinthine Artery, Pontine Artery, and Superior Cerebellar Artery.

Anterior Cerebral Artery

Artery traveling around the corpus callosum to supply most anterior medial cortex, including motor and somatosensory areas.

Middle Cerebral Artery

Major cerebral artery traveling in the depth of the Sylvian (lateral cerebral) fissure.

Superior Division of Middle Cerebral Artery

Superficial branch supplying cortex above the lateral fissure, covering most lateral aspects of the frontal lobe.

Inferior Division of Middle Cerebral Artery

Superficial branch supplying cortex under the lateral fissure, including lateral temporal lobe and parts of the parietal lobe.

Lenticulostriate Arteries

Deep branches arising from the middle cerebral artery that supply much of the basal ganglia and internal capsule.

Posterior Cerebral Artery

Artery curving around the midbrain through the superior cistern that gives rise to posterior choroidal arteries and cortical branches.

Branches to Medial Occipital Lobe

Branches of the posterior cerebral artery comprising the Calcarine Artery and Parieto-occipital Artery.

Occlusion of Posterior Cerebral Artery

Blockage at origin leading to visual field losses and deficits referable to the midbrain and diencephalon.

Internal Jugular Vein

The primary vein draining blood from the brain as well as most other tissues of the head and neck.

External Jugular Vein

A superficial vein draining a small part of the extracranial tissues of the head and neck.

Five Major Venous Drainage Components

The main head and neck venous pathways: Facial Vein, Retromandibular Vein, Venous Sinuses, Internal Jugular Vein, and External Jugular Vein.

Pterygoid Plexus of Veins

A network of small anastomosing veins surrounding the pterygoid muscles and the second part of the maxillary artery.

Function of Pterygoid Plexus of Veins

Protects the maxillary artery from compression during mastication by filling or emptying and accommodates volume changes in the infratemporal fossa.

Pterygoid Plexus Anastomoses

Venous connections linking the pterygoid plexus with both the facial vein and retromandibular vein.

Danger Triangle of the Face

Facial region where blood flow in tributaries is reversible due to lack of valves, allowing facial infections to spread to the cavernous sinus.

Communication Routes to Cavernous Sinus

The two pathways connecting the danger triangle to the cavernous sinus: 1) Superior ophthalmic vein, and 2) Deep facial veins, pterygoid plexus, and emissary veins.

Deep Cervical Lymph Nodes

A vertical chain embedded in the carotid sheath along the internal jugular vein that receives lymph from all regional head and neck nodes.

Jugular Trunk

A lymphatic trunk formed by efferent vessels from deep cervical nodes that drains into either the thoracic duct or right lymphatic duct.

Submental Lymph Nodes

Lymph nodes that drain the lower lip, floor of the mouth, and apex of the tongue.

Submandibular Lymph Nodes

Lymph nodes that drain the cheek, side of nose, lower lip, gums, and anterior tongue.

Right Lymphatic Duct vs. Thoracic Duct Venous Junctions

The Right Lymphatic Duct empties at the right internal jugular/subclavian vein junction; the Thoracic Duct (arising inferiorly at the cisterna chyli) empties at the left internal jugular/subclavian vein junction.