External carotid artery
External Carotid Artery
The External Carotid Artery (pronounced: ex-ter-nal ka-rot-id ar-ter-y) is a major artery in the human body that supplies blood to the face and neck.
Etymology
The term "External Carotid Artery" is derived from the Greek words 'karos', meaning 'stupor', and 'eidos', meaning 'form or shape'. This is in reference to the artery's function of supplying blood to the head, which, if obstructed, can lead to unconsciousness.
Anatomy
The External Carotid Artery is one of the two main divisions of the Common Carotid Artery, the other being the Internal Carotid Artery. It begins at the level of the fourth cervical vertebra and ascends in the neck to supply the exterior of the head, the face, and the greater part of the neck.
Branches
The External Carotid Artery has eight branches:
- Superior Thyroid Artery
- Ascending Pharyngeal Artery
- Lingual Artery
- Facial Artery
- Occipital Artery
- Posterior Auricular Artery
- Superficial Temporal Artery
- Maxillary Artery
Each of these branches has its own specific area of distribution.
Clinical Significance
The External Carotid Artery is of clinical significance as it is often involved in conditions such as Carotid Artery Stenosis and Carotid Artery Dissection. It is also a key landmark in surgical procedures involving the neck.
Related Terms
- Carotid Artery
- Common Carotid Artery
- Internal Carotid Artery
- Carotid Artery Stenosis
- Carotid Artery Dissection
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on External carotid artery
- Wikipedia's article - External carotid artery
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski