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External carotid artery

Dr Jeremy Jones and Dr Frank Gaillard et al.

The external carotid artery (ECA) is one of the two terminal branches of the common carotid artery. The other terminal branch is the internal carotid (ICA), which is somewhat larger than the ECA.

It begins at the level of the upper border of the thyroid cartilage (at the level of the fourth cervical vertebra). It takes a slightly curved course upwards and anteriorly before inclining backwards to the space behind the neck of the mandible. Along its course, it rapidly diminishes in size and as it does so, gives of various branches (see below). As it enters the parotid gland, it gives rise to its terminal branches, the superficial temporal and maxillary arteries.

Branches

The branches of the external carotid artery can be subdivided into groups:

arising from the carotid triangle

posterior auricular artery

terminal branches
- (internal) maxillary artery
- superficial temporal artery

Memorable mnemonics for these branches include:

Some Anatomists Like Freaking Out Poor Medical Students
Some Anatomists Like F-ing, Others Prefer S&M
Some American Ladies Found Our Pyramids Most Satisfactory

Summary

origin: bifurcation of the common carotid artery
course: under the submandibular gland and into the parotid gland
branches:
supply: neck, face and base of skull
termination: division into (internal) maxillary artery and superficial temporal artery

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