Arteries of the Head and

Neck
Jardiolin
Brachiocephalic artery
• The first vessel to branch from
the aortic arch
• Forms two arteries:
• Right common carotid artery
• Transports blood to the
right side of the head and
neck
• Right Subclavian artery
• Transports blood to the
upper limb
Left Common Carotid Artery
• The second branch of the aortic arch
• Transports blood to the left side of the head and
neck
• Extend superiorly without branching along each side
of the neck from their base to the inferior angle of
the mandible
• Each left and right common carotid arteries branch
into:
• Internal Carotid Arteries
• Together with the common carotid artery,
are dilated slightly form the Carotid Sinus
• Important in monitoring blood
pressure
• Also known as the baroreceptor reflex
• Together with the vertebral arteries,
supply the brain
• External Carotid Arteries
• Have several branches that supply the
structures of the neck and face
Left Subclavian Artery
• The third branch of the aortic arch
• Transports blood to the left upper limb
• Pass through the foramina of the
cervical vertebrae
• Enter the cranial cavity through the
foramen magnum
• Give off arteries to the cerebellum and
then unite to form a single midline
basilar artery
• Gives off branches to the pons and
the cerebellum and branches
• Branches into:
• Left Vertebral Arteries
• Left Internal Thoracic Arteries