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external carotid artery
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Illustration of the human neck showing labeled muscles, arteries, veins, and bones, including the sternocleidomastoid, digastric, mylohyoid, trapezius, carotid artery, jugular vein, clavicle, and thyroid cartilage.
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external carotid artery

anatomy
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Illustration of the human neck showing labeled muscles, arteries, veins, and bones, including the sternocleidomastoid, digastric, mylohyoid, trapezius, carotid artery, jugular vein, clavicle, and thyroid cartilage.
muscles of the neck; human muscle system Muscles of the neck.

The external carotid artery is one of the two main arteries supplying blood to the head and neck. It originates from the common carotid artery, which itself branches from the aorta. The external carotid artery travels up the side of the neck and behind the lower jaw, branching out to supply blood to the face, tongue, larynx, thyroid gland, and parts of the scalp. Unlike the internal carotid artery, which supplies the brain, the external carotid artery's branches are more superficial and serve external structures.12

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3 Britannica Sources
  1. carotid artery
  2. carotid artery
  3. cardiovascular disease - Arteritis

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