GREAT VESSELS AND NERVES OF NECK 205 



at the present stage of the dissection. The artery arises 

 from the anterior aspect of the external carotid, immedi- 

 ately above the lingual, in the upper part of the carotid 

 triangle, and passes vertically upwards, on the lateral surface 

 of the middle constrictor muscle of the pharynx, to the 

 angle of the mandible, where it disappears under cover 

 of the posterior belly of the digastric and the stylo-hyoid 

 muscle. At that point the superior constrictor is medial 

 to it and separates it from the palatine tonsil. At the 

 upper border of the stylo-hyoid it enters a deep groove 

 in the posterior part of the submaxillary gland, in which it 

 runs downwards and forwards between the lateral surface of 

 the gland and the internal pterygoid muscle, then turning 

 round the lower border of the mandible at the anterior border 

 of the masseter it enters the face (Fig. 74). For details of 

 its course in the face see p. 16. 



The named branches which spring from the external 

 maxillary artery before it enters the face are : 



1. Ascending palatine. 3. Glandular. 



2. Tonsillar. 4. Submental. 



Arteria Palatina Ascendens. The ascending palatine 

 branch is given off for the supply of the soft palate, but 

 it distributes branches to the palatine tonsil and auditory 

 (O.T. Eustachian) tube also. It ascends between the stylo- 

 pharyngeus and stylo-glossus muscles, and will be better seen 

 when the styloid process is reflected (p. 2 1 o). 



Ramus Tonsillaris. The tonsillar branch runs upwards 

 between the internal pterygoid and stylo-glossus muscles, then 

 turns medially, pierces the superior constrictor, and enters 

 the palatine tonsil. 



The glandular branches are given to the submaxillary 

 gland, as the external maxillary artery passes through it. 



Arteria Submentalis. The submental artery is a branch 

 of some size. It arises close to the lower border of the 

 mandible, and runs towards the chin, superficial to the mylo- 

 hyoid muscle. Near the symphysis it changes its direction, 

 and is carried upwards over the lower border of the mandible, 

 to end in branches for the muscles and integument of the 

 chin and lower lip. In the submaxillary region it gives 

 numerous twigs to the surrounding muscles and glands, and 

 anastomoses with the sublingual artery by branches which 



