Arteries of the Head Viewed from the Side

Description

Arterial anatomy is rendered in lateral profile across the male head, with the common carotid bifurcating at the level of the superior border of the thyroid cartilage into the internal carotid artery and external carotid artery. Superiorly, the external carotid system gives rise to the superior thyroid, lingual, facial, occipital, posterior auricular, maxillary, and superficial temporal arteries, then continues into scalp branches that course anterior and superior to the auricle along the temporal region. Deeper to the mandibular ramus, the maxillary artery tracks through the infratemporal fossa toward the pterygopalatine fossa, while the internal carotid ascends posteromedial to the parotid region toward the carotid canal. Relations read clearly. A lateral head arterial map like this is the working view for correlating palpable surface pulses with deep surgical risk, from locating the superficial temporal artery in suspected giant cell arteritis to planning incisions that avoid brisk scalp hemorrhage. The facial artery’s tortuous course across the inferior border of the mandible anterior to the masseter and toward the angle of the mouth is a classic teaching point, and it matters in facial lacerations, flap design, and during submandibular gland or mandibular procedures. Proximity of the external carotid branches to the parotid gland also makes this perspective practical when discussing parotidectomy planes and the bleeding profile of the posterior auricular and superficial temporal territories. Educators can place this plate into head and neck anatomy courses, dental curricula covering infratemporal fossa vasculature, and ENT or maxillofacial surgery teaching files where external carotid ligation and selective embolization are discussed. Medical publishers will also find it suitable for atlases explaining extracranial sources of epistaxis via the maxillary artery branches and the vascular basis of scalp reconstruction. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.