Posterior Auricular Artery

Description

Arising from the external carotid artery just superior to the posterior belly of the digastric, the posterior auricular artery tracks posterior to the auricle in the groove between the mastoid process of the temporal bone and the cartilaginous ear. Along this posterior-lateral scalp course, it divides into an auricular branch that supplies the posterior surface of the auricle and adjacent external acoustic region, and an occipital branch that ascends over the mastoid toward the posterior scalp. Small rami and arterioles radiate superficially in the retroauricular tissues, with neighboring venous channels shown in blue to clarify arterial-venous relationships. Posterior auricular anatomy matters most when you need a reliable vascular landmark in the postauricular and mastoid region, where skin flaps, auricular reconstruction, and otologic exposure intersect. Injury or cautery near the mastoid tip can compromise the occipital branch and contribute to troublesome scalp bleeding, while the auricular branch becomes relevant in postauricular incisions for mastoidectomy or cochlear implant placement. This view also helps distinguish the posterior auricular artery from the occipital artery proper, a common point of confusion when teaching external carotid branching patterns. Use this plate in head and neck anatomy courses to reinforce external carotid artery branches and retroauricular surface landmarks, or in surgical education materials covering postauricular approaches and flap planning around the auricle. It also fits well in radiology and ultrasound teaching sets when correlating palpable retroauricular pulsation with expected vessel trajectory on the lateral skull base. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.