Posterior Auricular Artery, Lateral View

Description

Seen in lateral profile, the posterior auricular artery ascends from the external carotid artery in the upper cervical region, then runs superiorly and posteriorly in the groove between the auricle and mastoid part of the temporal bone. Along its course it gives small rami to the auricle and adjacent soft tissues, with terminal branches spreading into the retroauricular scalp over the mastoid and occipital regions. Bony landmarks such as the mastoid process, external acoustic meatus, zygomatic arch, and the cervical vertebrae orient the vessel’s position relative to the skull base and neck. Proximity to the parotid region makes this artery clinically relevant during superficial parotidectomy and retroauricular incisions, where unrecognized branches can complicate hemostasis and distort the operative field. Its scalp branches participate in the rich anastomotic network with the occipital and superficial temporal arteries, a point worth emphasizing when teaching why auricular and scalp lacerations can bleed briskly. Small vessel. Real consequence. Common use cases include head and neck anatomy teaching in gross dissection and ENT modules, figure support for atlas-style discussions of the external carotid artery branches, and surgical education materials that map safe planes around the auricle, mastoid, and parotid fascia. The clear lateral perspective also suits interventional and radiology texts that annotate external carotid territory and collateral pathways in embolization planning. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.