5 o HEAD AND NECK 



descends through the parotid gland, emerges from under 

 cover of its lower end and terminates, immediately below the 

 angle of the mandible, by joining with the anterior facial vein 

 to form the common facial vein. Whilst in the gland, it 

 gives off a branch to the external jugular vein. The posterior 

 auricular vein descends posterior to the external meatus 

 and terminates in the external jugular vein. The occipital 

 vein accompanies the occipital artery as far as the sub- 

 occipital region, and ends in the sub-occipital venous plexus. 



In addition to the arteries and veins there are numerous 

 lymph vessels in the scalp, but they cannot be displayed by 

 ordinary dissecting methods. Nevertheless, it is important 

 that the student should remember their usual terminations. 

 The lymph vessels of the anterior area end in small lymph 

 glands which are embedded in the superficial surface of the 

 parotid gland. Those of the posterior area terminate either 

 in lymph glands which lie superficial to the mastoid part of 

 the temporal bone, or in occipital lymph glands, which lie in 

 the neighbourhood of the superior nuchal line. 



Galea Aponeurotica (O.T. Epicranial Aponeurosis). The 

 galea aponeurotica is fully exposed as soon as the superficial 

 fascia of the scalp is completely removed. It is a strong 

 layer of aponeurosis connected anteriorly with the frontal 

 bellies of the epicranius, posteriorly with the occipital bellies, 

 and between the occipital bellies, with the external occipital 

 protuberance and the medial parts of the superior nuchal lines, 

 or with the supreme nuchal lines when they are present. 

 Laterally, where it becomes thinner, it descends over the upper 

 part of the temporal fascia, and gives origin to the anterior 

 and superior auriculares muscles. It is so closely connected 

 with the superjacent skin, by the dense superficial fascia, 

 that the two cannot be separated, except with the aid of 

 the cutting edge of the scalpel ; but above the supra-orbital 

 ridges, the temporal lines, and the superior nuchal lines it 

 is only loosely connected to the pericranium by the layer 

 of loose areolar tissue ; therefore the three closely connected 

 superficial layers, the skin, superficial fascia, and the galea 

 aponeurotica, can easily be torn from the pericranium, a 

 circumstance taken advantage of by the Indians who scalped 

 their defeated foes. The looseness of the areolar tissue 

 beneath the galea aponeurotica permits the latter to be 

 drawn forwards and backwards by the alternate contractions 



