896 THE VASCULAE SYSTEM. 



anastomose with tympanic branches from the internal carotid and the ascending pharyngea 

 arteries, and with the internal auditory branch of the basilar. 



(d) The auricular branch ascends medial to the posterior auricular muscle. It give* 

 branches to the auricle and to the scalp in the posterior part of the temporal region, whict 

 anastomose with the superficial temporal and occipital arteries. The auricular branches 

 supply both surfaces of the auricle, piercing or turning round the margins of the cartilage 

 to gain the lateral surface, and they anastomose with the anterior auricular branches o: 

 the superficial temporal artery. 



(e) The occipital branch runs upwards and posteriorly along the insertion of the 

 sterno-mastoid muscle. It supplies the sterno-mastoid and occipitalis muscles, and the 

 skin, and it anastomoses with the occipital artery. 



(6) Arteria Pharyngea Ascendens The Ascending Pharyngeal Artery (Fig 

 761). This artery arises from the medial surface of the lower part of the external 

 carotid, and its terminal branches are distributed to the wall of the pharynx and ir 

 the soft palate. 



Course. It commences in the carotid triangle, usually as the first or second 

 branch of the external carotid, and it ascends on the wall of the pharynx to the 

 apex of the petrous portion of the temporal bone. 



Relations. Medially it is in relation with the constrictor muscles of the pharynx 

 Posterior to it are the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae, the sympathetic trunk 

 and the longus capitis. Laterally it is in relation with the internal carotid artery 

 and it is crossed by the stylo-pharyngeus muscle, the glossopharyngeal nerve, and th( 

 pharyngeal branch of the vagus. 



Branches. The branches of this artery are very irregular and inconstant, but th< 

 following have received names : 



(a) Pharyngeal Branches. Small twigs which ramify on the walls of the pharyn: 

 and supply the middle and superior constrictor muscles, the palatine tonsil, and the lowe 

 part of the auditory tube (O.T. Eustachian). They anastomose with branches of th- 

 superior thyreoid, lingual, and external maxillary arteries. 



(b) Prevertebral. Small branches distributed to the prevertebral muscles and fascia 

 the deep cervical glands, and the large nerve trunks. They anastomose with the ascendin; 

 cervical and vertebral arteries. 



(c) Posterior Meningeal. One or more small branches which enter the cranium b 

 the hypoglossal canal, the jugular, or the lacerate foramen, and supply the dura matei 

 They anastomose with branches of the middle meningeal and vertebral arteries. 



(d) Inferior Tympanic. A small artery which accompanies the tympanic branch of th 

 glossopharyngeal nerve to ' the tympanic cavity, where it anastomoses with the othe 

 tympanic arteries. 



(e) Palatine. A very variable artery which sometimes replaces the ascending palatic 

 branch of the external maxillary artery. When present it springs from the upper part ( 

 the ascending pharyngeal artery, pierces the pharyngeal aponeurosis above the upper bord( 

 of the superior constrictor muscle, and descends into the soft palate with the levator ve 

 palatini muscle. It supplies the mucous membrane of the supero-lateral part of t\ . 

 pharyngeal wall and the tissues of the soft palate, and it anastomoses with the palatir 

 branches of the internal maxillary, the external maxillary and the lingual arteries. 



(7) Arteria Temporalis Superficial (Fig. 759), The superficial temper, 

 artery, one of the terminal branches of the external carotid, commences betwee 

 the upper part of the antero-medial surface of the parotid gland, and the neck 

 the mandible, and terminates in the scalp, from 25 to 50 mm. (1 or 2 inche 

 above the zygomatic arch, by dividing into a parietal and a frontal branch. 



Course. The artery ascends over the posterior root of the zygoma, and pass 

 into the superficial fascia of the temporal region. It is accompanied by tl 

 auriculo- temporal nerve and by the superficial temporal vein, which usually li 

 posterior to it. As it crosses the zygoma it is covered by the skin alone, and 

 may be easily compressed against the subjacent bone. 



Branches. (a) Parotid. Small branches to the upper part of the parotid gland. 



(b) Articular to the mandibular articulation. 



(c) Anterior Auricular. Small branches to the lateral surface of the auricle and 

 the external acoustic meatus. They anastomose on the surface of the auricle with brand: 



