Blood Vessels of Head and Neck

Where does the external carotid artery terminate?
A. At the submandibular gland
B. Behind the ear
C. In the parotid gland near the neck of mandible
D. Inside the thyroid gland

Answer: C
Explanation: The ECA terminates in the parotid gland, near the neck of the mandible.

Which artery runs deep to the hyoglossus muscle?
A. Facial artery
B. Lingual artery
C. Maxillary artery
D. Ascending pharyngeal artery

Answer: B
Explanation: The lingual artery passes deep to the hyoglossus muscle toward the tongue.

The superior thyroid artery travels with which nerve?
A. Recurrent laryngeal nerve
B. Facial nerve
C. Hypoglossal nerve
D. External laryngeal nerve

Answer: D
Explanation: The superior thyroid artery travels with the external laryngeal nerve.

Which branch supplies the palatine tonsil and pharynx?
A. Lingual artery
B. Maxillary artery
C. Ascending pharyngeal artery
D. Occipital artery

Answer: C
Explanation: The ascending pharyngeal artery ascends along the pharynx and supplies palatine tonsils and pharynx.

What is a branch of the second part of the maxillary artery?
A. Inferior alveolar
B. Deep auricular
C. Middle meningeal
D. Deep temporal

Answer: D
Explanation: Deep temporal is from the second part of the maxillary artery (DMBP mnemonic).

Which artery supplies the submandibular gland?
A. Lingual artery
B. Facial artery
C. Superior thyroid artery
D. Ascending pharyngeal artery

Answer: B
Explanation: The facial artery gives glandular branches to the submandibular gland in the neck.

• Which artery supplies the external ear and posterior scalp?
  A. Posterior auricular artery
  B. Occipital artery
  C. Facial artery
  D. Maxillary artery
  

• Answer: A
  Explanation: The posterior auricular artery ascends behind the ear and supplies the external ear and posterior scalp.

What is the terminal branch of the external carotid artery along with the maxillary artery?
A. Lingual artery
B. Ascending pharyngeal artery
C. Superficial temporal artery
D. Posterior auricular artery

Answer: C
Explanation: The superficial temporal artery is one of the two terminal branches of the ECA.

Which artery enters the mandibular foramen to supply the mandible and lower teeth?
A. Infraorbital artery
B. Inferior alveolar artery
C. Buccal artery
D. Greater palatine artery

Answer: B
Explanation: The inferior alveolar artery enters the mandibular foramen to supply the mandibular canal and teeth.

Which artery is a branch of the third part of the maxillary artery?
A. Buccal artery
B. Sphenopalatine artery
C. Deep auricular artery
D. Middle meningeal artery

Answer: B
Explanation: The sphenopalatine artery is a branch of the third part of the maxillary artery (PIGPAS mnemonic).

Regarding the external carotid artery:
A. It begins at the upper border of the thyroid cartilage.
B. It terminates near the hyoid bone.
C. It gives off eight branches.
D. It runs inside the carotid sheath.
E. Its terminal branches include the maxillary and superficial temporal arteries.

A. It begins at the upper border of the thyroid cartilage. (True)
B. It terminates near the hyoid bone. (False)
C. It gives off eight branches. (True)
D. It runs inside the carotid sheath. (False)
E. Its terminal branches include the maxillary and superficial temporal arteries. (True)

Regarding the facial artery:
A. It winds around the lower border of the mandible.
B. It passes deep to the submandibular gland.
C. It terminates near the medial canthus of the eye.
D. It gives a branch to the tonsillar region.
E. It has no branches in the neck.

A. It winds around the lower border of the mandible. (True)
B. It passes deep to the submandibular gland. (False)
C. It terminates near the medial canthus of the eye. (True)
D. It gives a branch to the tonsillar region. (True)
E. It has no branches in the neck. (False)

Regarding the maxillary artery:
A. It is one of the terminal branches of the ECA.
B. It runs in the submandibular triangle.
C. It has branches divided by the lateral pterygoid muscle.
D. The inferior alveolar artery is a branch of the first part.

E. The buccal artery is a branch of the third part.

A. It is one of the terminal branches of the ECA. (True)
B. It runs in the submandibular triangle. (False)
C. It has branches divided by the lateral pterygoid muscle. (True)
D. The inferior alveolar artery is a branch of the first part. (True)
E. The buccal artery is a branch of the third part. (False)

Regarding branches of the ECA:
A. The occipital artery runs along the upper border of posterior belly of digastric. (False)
B. The lingual artery supplies the tongue. (True)
C. The superior thyroid artery gives off the superior laryngeal artery. (True)
D. The posterior auricular artery is located near the stylomastoid foramen. (True)
E. The ascending pharyngeal artery is the largest anterior branch. (False)

A. The occipital artery runs along the upper border of posterior belly of digastric.
B. The lingual artery supplies the tongue.
C. The superior thyroid artery gives off the superior laryngeal artery.
D. The posterior auricular artery is located near the stylomastoid foramen.
E. The ascending pharyngeal artery is the largest anterior branch.

Regarding the superficial temporal artery:
A. It arises behind the ear. (False)
B. It gives off the transverse facial artery. (True)
C. It supplies the anterior scalp. (True)
D. It is a branch of the facial artery. (False)
E. It is a terminal branch of the ECA. (True)

A. It arises behind the ear.
B. It gives off the transverse facial artery.
C. It supplies the anterior scalp.
D. It is a branch of the facial artery.
E. It is a terminal branch of the ECA.

• List the branches of the external carotid artery in order.
  

• Answer:

  • Superior thyroid

  • Ascending pharyngeal

  • Lingual

  • Facial

  • Occipital

  • Posterior auricular

  • Maxillary

  • Superficial temporal
    Explanation: This classic order follows the mnemonic: Some Anatomists Like Freaking Out Poor Medical Students.

What is the course of the facial artery in the neck and face?

Answer:

• It ascends deep to the posterior belly of digastric.

• Winds around the submandibular gland.

• Enters the face near the anteroinferior border of the masseter.

• Terminates near the medial angle of the eye.
  Explanation: The facial artery is tortuous and supplies both deep cervical structures and superficial face.

• What are the branches of the first part of the maxillary artery?
  

• Answer:

  • Deep auricular

  • Anterior tympanic

  • Middle meningeal

  • Accessory meningeal

  • Inferior alveolar
    Explanation: These branches mainly supply ear, meninges, and mandible.

Describe the supply region of the lingual artery.

Answer:

• It runs deep to the hyoglossus muscle.

• Supplies the tongue, floor of the mouth, and sublingual gland.
  Explanation: It provides arterial blood to the oral cavity's lower part, particularly the tongue.

1. What does the superficial temporal artery supply, and what is one of its branches?
   

1. Answer:

   • Supplies the anterior scalp and temporal region.

   • Gives off the transverse facial artery.
     Explanation: It’s one of the terminal branches of the ECA, running anterior to the ear.