Posterior Auricular Artery, Lateral View

Description

Arising from the external carotid artery, the posterior auricular artery courses superiorly and posteriorly deep to the parotid region, then ascends in the groove between the auricle and mastoid process on a lateral view of the male head and neck. Along its path it lies posterior to the external acoustic meatus and close to the posterior belly of the digastric and the sternocleidomastoid insertion, with the auricular branches tracking toward the conchal and posterior auricular surfaces. Superficial veins run parallel in the same field, and cutaneous nerves of the periauricular scalp are shown in yellow as they cross the vascular territory. Small, named branches are typically visible heading toward the scalp and posterior pinna. For surgical anatomy, this vessel is a dependable landmark behind the ear, and its relationship to the posterior auricular nerve, occipital artery territory, and the mastoid periosteum matters when planning postauricular incisions. Bleeding here is not theoretical. It is commonly encountered during otoplasty, mastoidectomy exposure, and retroauricular approaches for cochlear implantation, and it can also supply pedicled or free flaps used in auricular reconstruction. The lateral perspective clarifies why hematoma and skin compromise after auricular trauma can track posteriorly when the posterior auricular artery or its perforators are disrupted. Use this artwork for teaching the external carotid artery branches in gross anatomy and head and neck modules, or for illustrating operative atlases and case reports involving postauricular approaches, auricular reconstruction, or scalp and pinna vascular supply. It also fits patient-facing surgical consent documents where a clean, anatomically named map of periauricular vasculature is needed. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.