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How is the external carotid artery positioned in the neck?

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Detailed anatomical illustration of the human thyroid gland and surrounding structures, showing the right and left lobes, isthmus, nearby arteries, veins, nerves, lymph nodes, and cartilage in the neck. — thyroid gland Human thyroid gland.

The external carotid artery ascends through the upper portion of the side of the neck and passes behind the lower jaw to enter the parotid gland, where it subsequently divides into various branches. It originates from the common carotid artery, which bifurcates near the upper border of the thyroid cartilage.12

One of its primary branches is the superior thyroid artery, which provides blood supply to the larynx and the thyroid gland.1