GREAT VESSELS AND NERVES OF NECK 203 



of the opposite side, and with the hyoid branch of the 

 lingual artery. 



Arteria Laryngea Superior. The superior laryngeal artery 

 is a larger vessel. It springs from the superior thyreoid 

 in the carotid triangle, and, associating itself with the internal 

 laryngeal nerve, it pierces the thyreo-hyoid membrane, enters 

 the pharynx, and descends to the larynx (Fig. 68). 



Arteria Sternocleidomastoidea. The sterno-mastoid branch 

 is a small vessel which runs downwards and backwards, across 

 the carotid sheath, along the upper border of the anterior 

 belly of the omo-hyoid muscle, to reach the deep surface of 

 the sterno-mastoid muscle, into which it sinks. It gives, in 

 addition, minute twigs to the depressor muscles of the larynx. 



Ramus Cricothyreoideus. The crico -thyreoid artery runs 

 medially, upon the crico-thyreoid ligament, and anastomoses with 

 its fellow of the opposite side. It has already been noticed 

 in the dissection of the middle line of the neck (p. 129). 



Rami Glandulares. The glandular rami are the three 

 terminal branches. They spring from the main trunk at 

 the apex of the lobe of the thyreoid gland. The largest 

 branch is distributed on the medial surface of the lobe ; the 

 smallest branch ramifies on its lateral surface; whilst the 

 third branch runs downwards upon the anterior border of the 

 lobe, and then along the upper border of the isthmus towards 

 its fellow of the opposite side. The medial and lateral 

 branches are not uncommonly replaced by a posterior trunk 

 which runs along the posterior border of the lobe. The 

 anastomosis between the thyreoid arteries of the two sides is 

 by no means free. 



Vence Thyreoidece. Superiores. The superior thyreoid veins 

 emerge from the gland and form a trunk which receives 

 tributaries corresponding in a great measure with the branches 

 of the artery. It crosses the upper part of the common 

 carotid artery and joins the internal jugular vein. 



Arteria Lingualis. The lingual artery springs from the 

 external carotid at the level of the greater cornu of the 

 hyoid bone in the carotid triangle. It runs along the upper 

 border of the greater cornu. As its name indicates, it is 

 the artery of supply to the tongue. It has already been 

 dissected in the carotid triangle and the submaxillary region, 

 and the details of its course and relations are given on 

 p. 197. 



