



THE EXTERNAL CAROTID ARTERY 553 



2. The lingual artery (a. lingualis) (Fig. 513) arises from the external carotid 

 between the superior thyroid and external maxillary ; it first runs obliquely upward 

 and medialward to the greater cornu of the hyoid bone; it then curves downward 

 and forward, forming a loop which is crossed by the hypoglossal nerve, and passing 

 beneath the Digastricus and Stylohyoideus it runs horizontally forward, beneath 

 the Hyoglossus, and finally, ascending almost perpendicularly to the tongue, turns 

 forward on its lower surface as far as the tip, under the name of the profunda 

 linguae. 



Relations. Its first, or oblique, portion is superficial, and is contained within the carotid 

 triangle; it rests upon the Constrictor pharyngis medius, and is covered by the Platysma and 

 the fascia of the neck. Its second, or curved, portion also lies upon the Constrictor pharyngis 

 medius, being covered at first by the tendon of the Digastricus and by the Stylohyoideus, and 

 afterward by the Hyoglossus. Its third, or horizontal, portion lies between the Hyoglossus and 

 Genioglossus. The fourth, or terminal part, under the name of the profunda linguae (ranine 

 artery) runs along the under surface of the tongue to its tip; here it is superficial, being covered 

 only by the mucous membrane; above it is the Longitudinalis inferior, and on the medial side 

 the Genioglossus. The hypoglossal nerve crosses the first part of the lingual artery, but is sepa- 

 rated from the second part by the Hyoglossus. 



Branches. The branches of the lingual artery are : 



Hyoid. Sublingual. 



Dorsales linguae. Profunda linguae. 



The Hyoid Branch (ramus hyoideus; suprahyoid branch} runs along the upper 

 border of the hyoid bone, supplying the muscles attached to it and anastomosing 

 with its fellow of the opposite side. 



The Arterise Dorsales Linguae (rami dorsales linguce) consist usually of two or 

 three small branches which arise beneath the Hyoglossus; they ascend to the back 

 part of the dorsum of the tongue, and supply the mucous membrane in this situa- 

 tion, the glossopalatine arch, the tonsil, soft palate, and epiglottis; anastomosing 

 with the vessels of the opposite side. 



The Sublingual Artery (a. sublingualis') arises at the anterior margin of the Hyo- 

 glossus, and runs forward between the Genioglossus and Mylohyoideus to the sub- 

 lingual gland. It supplies the gland and gives branches to the Mylohyoideus and 

 neighboring muscles, and to the mucous membrane of the mouth and gums. One 

 branch runs behind the alveolar process of the mandible in the substance of the 

 gum to anastomose with a similar artery from the other side; another pierces 

 the Mylohyoideus and anastomoses with the submental branch of the external 

 maxillary artery. 



The Arteria Profunda Linguae (ranine artery; deep lingual artery) is the terminal 

 portion of the lingual artery; it pursues a tortuous coufse and runs along the under 

 surface of the tongue, below the Longitudinalis inferior, and above the mucous 

 membrane; it lies on the lateral side of the Genioglossus, accompanied by the 

 lingual nerve. At the tip of the tongue, it is said to* anastomose with the artery 

 of the opposite side, but this is denied by Hyrtl. In the mouth, these vessels are 

 placed one on either side of the frenulum linguae. ^ 



3. The external maxillary artery (a. maxillaris externa; facial artery] ("Pig. 508), 

 arises in the carotid triangle a little above the lingual artery and, sheltered by the 

 ramus of the mandible, passes obliquely up beneath the Digastricus and Stylo- 

 hyoideus, over which it arches to enter a groove on the posterior surface of the 

 submaxillary gland. It then curves upward over the body of the mandible at the 

 antero-inferior angle of the Masseter; passes forward and upward across the cheek 

 to the angle of the mouth, then ascends along the side of the nose, and ends at 

 the medial commissure of the eye, under the name of the angular artery. This 

 vessel, both in the neck and on the face, is remarkably tortuous: in the former 



