Blood Vessels of the Head, Lateral View

Description

Seen in left lateral profile, the cranial vault and facial skeleton are paired with the major extracranial and cervical vessels, including the common carotid bifurcating into the internal carotid (ascending deep and anterior to the cervical vertebrae) and external carotid (more superficial, giving off branches toward the face and scalp). Posterior to the mandible and external acoustic meatus, the superficial temporal artery and vein track superiorly across the temporal region, while the facial artery and vein sweep obliquely across the cheek from the inferior border of the mandible toward the medial canthus. Along the posterior neck, the vertebral artery courses superiorly through the transverse foramina of the cervical vertebrae toward the foramen magnum. Clear landmarks. For teaching head and neck circulation, a lateral view clarifies what lives superficial to bone versus what disappears deep at the skull base, a distinction that drives both interpretation and risk. Lacerations of the scalp bleed briskly because branches of the external carotid (often the superficial temporal and occipital arteries) run in the dense connective tissue layer where vessels cannot retract, while blunt trauma over the pterion raises concern for middle meningeal artery injury even though that vessel is not superficial. Surgeons also think in these relationships when planning a carotid endarterectomy exposure at the carotid bifurcation or when avoiding injury to the superficial temporal vessels during temporalis incisions. Use this artwork in gross anatomy and neuroanatomy courses to link the carotid and vertebrobasilar systems to palpable surface landmarks, and in emergency medicine or maxillofacial references when illustrating common bleeding sources in scalp and facial trauma. It also fits well in vascular or ENT publications discussing carotid disease, temporal artery biopsy planning, or venous drainage pathways of the face and scalp. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.