External Carotid Artery
ECA Branches
| Branches | Vascular Supply and Anastomoses |
| --- | --- |
| **S**uperior thyroid artery (A) | Larynx and upper thyroid
Thyrocervical trunk (branch of the subclavian artery) supplies the inferior
thyroid and isthmus. |
| **A**scending pharyngeal artery (M) | Nasopharynx, oropharynx, and middle ear
CNs IX, X, and XI
Meninges
Anastomoses with the vertebral artery branches |
| **L**ingual artery (A) | Tongue and the floor of the mouth |
| **F**acial artery (A) | Face, palate, and lips
Angular branch of the facial artery anastomoses with the orbital branch of the ophthalmic artery. |
| **O**ccipital artery (P) | Posterior scalp, upper cervical musculature Posterior fossa and meninges Anastomoses with the vertebral artery |
| **P**osterior auricular artery (P) | Pinna, external auditory canal, and scalp |
| **S**uperficial temporal artery | Scalp and ear |
| **I**nternal maxillary artery (aka Maxillary Artery) | Deep face
Gives off the middle meningeal artery (MMA) and accessory meningeal arteries
Anastomoses with inferior lateral cavernous sinus trunk and ophthalmic artery through ethmoidal branches |
SALFOPSI