Head & Neck-Blood Vessels-Arteries & Veins

*For BDS Students Batch 11 AIMST University

Lecture By : Gan Quan Fu

PGS (Anatomy) AIMST University

Updated : 2015
At the End of this Lecture, You Will be Able
to:
Name the major blood vessels of the
head and neck region.
Describe the origin, course and
branches of major arteries supplying
the head and neck.
Describe the formation, course and
tributaries of major veins draining the
head and neck.
Explain the clinical importance of
blood vessels of head and neck.
Content
Introduction
Dentist and Blood Vessels of Head and Neck
General Overview of Arterial System Supplying Upper Body
Arteries of the Head and Neck
Arch of Aorta
Brachiocephalic Artery
Subclavian Artery
Carotid Artery
General Overview of Venous System Draining the Head and Neck
Veins of the Head and Neck
Anterior jugular vein
External jugular vein
Internal jugular vein
Subclavian vein
Brachiocephalic vein
Applied Anatomy on Blood Vessels of Head and Neck
Summary
Q&A Session
Introduction
Vascular system of head and neck consist of:
Arterial Blood Supply Capillary Network
Venous Drainage
Plexus Heart
Large network of blood vessels
Blood vessels communicate with each other by
an anastomosis (A connecting channels among Vein Artery
the vessels).
Venous Sinuses are blood filled spaces between Blood
2 layers of tissues. Circulation
Superficial veins are found immediately deep to
the skin. Venule Arteriole
Deep veins usually accompany large arteries in
a more protected (deeper) location within the
tissue. Capillary
Introduction
Neck is the transitional area between the head
superiorly & thorax inferiorly.
Vital structures seen in the neck include trachea,
esophagus, thyroid gland.
Neck acts as a major passage for structures passing
between the head & trunk.
Dentist and Blood Vessels of Head and Neck
Blood vessels may become
compromised due to disease
process or during dental
procedure such as when
administering a local anaesthetic
injection.
Spread of cancer and dental or
odontogenic infection.
Oral maxillary Surgery
General Overview of Arterial System
Supplying the Upper Body
 Arteries of Head and Neck

Common Carotid Artery Subclavian Artery

Internal Carotid Artery External Carotid Artery Vertebral Artery Thyrocervical Trunk

1. Superior Thyroid Transverse Cervical

Artery Inferior Thyroid Artery Suprascapular Artery
2. Ascending Pharyngeal
3. Lingual
4. Facial
5. Occipital
6. Posterior Auricular
7. Superficial Temporal
8. Maxillary
Arch of Aorta
Location : Superior mediastinum.
Origin : Continuation of ascending aorta.
Branches :
1. Brachiocephalic artery
2. Left common carotid artery
3. Left subclavian artery
Continue as descending aorta.
Brachiocephalic Artery
Origin : Arch of aorta.
Supplies :
Right upper limb
Right side of neck
Cranial cavity & Brain
Termination :
Right subclavian artery.
Right common carotid artery.

Heart
Subclavian Artery
Origin :
Right : Brachiocephalic trunk
Left : Arch of aorta.
Course :
Sternoclavicular joint to outer
border of first rib.
Termination :
Continues as axillary artery.

Portion :
Divided into 3 portions by the
scalenus anterior muscle. Heart
Branches of Subclavian Artery
Portions:
1st Portion :
Vertebral artery
Internal thoracic artery
Thyrocervical trunk
2nd Portion :
Costocervical trunk.
3rd Portion :
Dorsal scapular artery.

Pneumonics : VITamin CD
Vertebral Artery
Origin :
Posterosuperior part of the 1st part of subclavian
artery.
Course : Refer next slide
Termination :
Cranial cavity by supplying the brain.
Supplies :
Brain
spinal cord
Meninges
Surrounding muscles & bones
Divided into 4 Portions
Vertebral Artery
Course:
1st portion
From the origin to the transverse process
of the 6th cervical (C6) vertebra.
2nd portion
Runs through the transverse foramen of
the upper 6 cervical vertebrae.
3rd portion
Lies in the suboccipital triangle.
4th portion
Extends from the posterior atlanto
occipital membrane to the lower border
of the pons.
 Branches of Vertebral Arteries

Spinal Branches Cranial Branches

Muscular branches from 3rd

Posterior spinal Anterior Spinal Posterior Inferior Medullary
part (supplies suboccipital Meningeal
muscles) artery Artery Cerebellar Artery Arteries
Thyrocervical Trunk
Origin : First part of subclavian artery.
Branches :
Transverse cervical artery
Course :
Runs superficially & laterally across the phrenic nerve & anterior
scalene muscle.
Termination :
Superficial branch
Deep branch.
Suprascapular artery
Course :
Runs inferolaterally to supply the muscles on the posterior
aspect of the scapula.
Inferior Thyroid Artery
Course :
Passes upward, in front of the vertebral artery and longus colli
muscle. It then turns medially behind the carotid sheath reaching
lower border of thyroid gland.
Common Carotid Artery
Origin : (Right) Brachiocephalic artery
(Left) Arch of Aorta
Course : Runs upward in carotid sheath through
the neck.
Termination : 1. External Carotid Artery
2. Internal Carotid Artery
Relation : In carotid sheath, it is related laterally
to the internal jugular vein;Vagus nerve
lies between these 2 structures
Carotid Sinus & Carotid Body
Carotid Sinus
Localized dilation of the common carotid artery at the point of
division into the external and internal carotid arteries.
Supplied by glossopharyngeal nerve.
Pressoreceptor that assist in regulation of blood pressure.
Carotid Body
Small structure lies posteriorly to the point of division of the
common carotid artery
Supplied by glossopharyngeal nerve.
Is a chemoreceptor, sensitive to excess carbon dioxide and
reduced oxygen tensions in blood.
Assist in regulating the heart and respiratory rates.
External Carotid Artery
Origin : Terminal branch of Common carotid
artery at level of upper border of
thyroid cartilage.
Course : Emerges from under cover of
sternocleidomastoid muscle, lies
within the carotid triangle (it pulse
can be felt).
Termination : In parotid Salivary Gland behind
mandible and divide into Superficial
temporal and maxillary arteries.
 Branches of External Carotid Artery
1. Superior Thyroid Artery (A)
2. Ascending Pharyngeal Artery (M)
3. Lingual Artery (A)
4. Facial Artery (A)
5. Occipital Artery (P)
6. Posterior Auricular Artery (P)
7. Maxillary Artery
8. Superficial Temporal Artery

Pneumonics : Some Angry Ladies

Fights On Pre Menstrual Symptoms