THE EXTERNAL CAROTID ARTERY 



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superficial temporal artery, supplies the Orbicularis oculi, and anastomoses with 

 the lacrimal and palpebral branches of the ophthalmic artery. 



iThe Anterior Auricular Branches (rami auriculares anteriores) are distributed to 

 the anterior portion of the auricula, the lobule, and part of the external meatus, 

 anastomosing with the posterior auricular. 



The Frontal Branch (ramus frontalis; anterior temporal) runs tortuously upward 

 and forward to the forehead, supplying the muscles, integument, and pericranium 

 in this region, and anastomosing with the supraorbital and frontal arteries. 



The Parietal Branch (ramus parietalis; posterior temporal) larger than the frontal, 

 curves upward and backward on the side of the head, lying superficial to the tem- 

 poral fascia, and anastomosing with its fellow of the opposite side, and with the 

 posterior auricular and occipital arteries. 





2 



Incisor branch 



FIG. 510. Plan of branches of internal maxillary artery. 



8. The internal maxillary artery (a. maxillaris internet) (Fig. 510), the larger 

 of the two terminal branches of the external carotid, arises behind the neck of the 

 mandible, and is at first imbedded in the substance of the parotid gland; it passes 

 forward between the ramus of the mandible and the sphenomandibular ligament, 

 nd then runs, either superficial or deep to the Pterygoideus externus, to the 

 pterygopalatine fossa. It supplies the deep structures of the face, and may be 

 divided into mandibular, pterygoid, and pterygopalatine portions. 



The first or mandibular portion passes horizontally forward, between the ramus 

 of the mandible and the sphenomandibular ligament, where it lies parallel to and 

 a little below the auriculotemporal nerve; it crosses the inferior alveolar nerve, 

 and runs along the lower border of the Pterygoideus externus. 



The second or pterygoid portion runs obliquely forward and upward under cover 

 f the ramus of the mandible and insertion of the Temporalis, on the superficial 

 (very frequently on the deep) surface of the Pterygoideus externus; it then passes 

 between the two heads of origin of this muscle and enters the fossa. 



The third or pterygopalatine portion lies in the pterygopalatine fossa in relation 

 with the sphenopalatine ganglion. 





