361 ARTERIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK. 



(h) The dorsal ai-frri/ of t7teto)if/iii\ which is ofteu replaced by several smaller 

 branches. It arises from the deep portion of the lingual artery. Ijeneath the hjo- 

 g-lossus muscle, and ascends to supply the upper part, or dorsum, and the substance 

 of the tongue, ramifjdng as far back as the epiglottis. 



(r) The .si/bHiif/iujl branch. Taking origin at the anterior margin of the hyo- 

 glossus, this branch turns slightly outwards, under cover of the mylo-hyoid 

 muscle, and between this and the sublingual gland. It supplies the substance of 

 the gland, and gives branches to the mylo-hyoid and other muscles connected 

 with the maxillary bone. Small branches are also distributed to the mucous 

 membrane of the mouth, and the inside of the gums. 



(c/) The rauinr artery, which may be considered from its size and direction the 

 continuation of the lingual arterj'. It runs forwards beneath the tongue, giving 

 numerous branches as it proceeds, covered by the mucous membrane, and 

 resting on the genio-hyo-glossus muscle. Having reached the tip of the tongue, 

 it has been said to anastomose with the con-esponding artery of the other side ; 

 but this is denied by Hyrtl. In the last part of its course it lies quite superficially 

 at the side of the frcenum. 



Varieties. — The origin of the lingual artery sometimes takes place from a 

 trunk common to it and the facial arteiy. It is occasionally joined with the 

 superior thyroid. The hijoid branch is often deficient ; and it appears that this 

 branch varies in size inversely with the hyoid branch of the sui^erior thjToid. 

 The i-uMiii;/iiid branch varies in size. It is sometimes derived from the facial 

 arteiy, and then perforates the mylo-hyoid muscle. The lingual artery has been 

 seen to give off as unusual branches, the submental and ascending palatine. 



3. Facial Artery. — The facial arteiy, taking origin a little above 

 the lingual artery, is first directed obliquely forwards and upwards 

 beneath the base of the maxillary bone ; then changing its direc- 

 tion, it passes upwards over the base of the lower maxilla, in front 

 of the massetcr muscle. Commencing here its course upon the face, 

 it is directed forwards, near to the angle of the mouth, and ascends to 

 the inner canthus of the eye, where it ends by anastomosing with the 

 ophthalmic artery. In its whole course the artery is tortuous, a cir- 

 cumstance connected with the great mobility of the parts on which it 

 rests. 



In the neck, the focial artery, immediately after its origin, which is 

 comparatively superficial, being covered only by the platysma and fascia, 

 •is crossed by the digastric and stylo-hyoid muscles, and is then con- 

 cealed in the substance of the submaxillary gland. Emerging from 

 the gland, it turns over the border of the jaw, covered by the platysma : 

 here the pulsation of the artery is easily felt, and the circulation througli 

 it may be readily controlled by pressure against the bone. In its pro- 

 gress over the face, it is covered successively by the platysma and the 

 zygomatic muscles, and rests upon the buccinator, the levator anguli 

 oris, and the levator labii superioris. 



The facial vein is separated by a considerable interval from the artery 

 on the face. It takes nearly a straight course upwards, instead of in- 

 clining forwards near the angle of the mouth, and it is not so tortuous 

 as the artery. 



Branches of the facial nerve cross the vessel ; and the infraorbUcd 

 nerve is beneath it, separated by the fibres of the elevator of the upper lip. 



A. Cervical branches. — The following branches are deiived from the facial 

 arteiy below the lower jaw : — 



(«) The inferior or axcrnding 2)(iIati)U' artrry, a branch which ascends between 

 the stylo-glossus and stylo-phaiyngeus muscles, and reaches the pharynx close to 

 the border of the internal pterj'goid muscle. After having given small branches 



