350 EXTERNAL CAROTID ARTERY. 



(6) The tonsillar branch, which ascends along the side of the pharynx, and pene- 

 trating the superior constrictor of the pharynx, terminates in small vessels upon the 

 tonsil and the side of the tongue near its root. 



(c) The glandular branches, a numerous series which enter the substance of the 

 submaxillary gland, whilst the facial artery is in contact with it ; and some of which 

 are prolonged upon the side of the tongue. 



(d) The submental branch, the largest arising from the facial in the neck. Leaving 

 the artery near the point at which it turns upwards to the face, it runs forwards 

 below the base of the maxillary bone on the surface of the mylo-hyoid muscle and 

 subjacent to the digastric. Giving branches in its course to the submaxillary gland 

 and the muscles attached to the jaw, it approaches the symphysis of the chin and 

 divides into two branches ; one of these, running more superficially than the other, 

 passes between the depressor muscle of the lower lip and the skin, supplying both ; 

 while the other dips between that muscle and the bone, and ramifies in the substance 

 of the lip, communicating with the inferior labial branch. 



B. Facial branches. Of the branches derived from the facial artery upon 

 the side of the face, some are directed outwards to the muscles, as to the 

 masseter and buccinator, and require only to be indicated. Larger branches 

 described with some detail are directed inwards, and are as follows : 



(a) The inferior labial branch. This arises soon after the facial artery has turned 

 over the lower border of the maxilla, and running forwards beneath the depressor 

 anguli oris, distributes branches to the skin and the muscles of the lower lip, anasto- 

 mosing with the inferior coronary and submental branches, and with the inferior 

 dental branch of the internal maxillary artery. 



(l>) The coronary artery of the lower lip. Arising near the angle of the mouth, 

 as often in conjunction with the superior coronary as from the facial separately, this 

 branch penetrates the muscular fibres surrounding the orifice of the moutb, takes a 

 transverse and tortuous course between those fibres and the mucous membrane of the 

 lip, and inosculates with the corresponding artery of the opposite side. Small twigs 

 from it ascend to supply the orbicular and depressor muscles, the glands, and other 

 structures of the lower lip; whilst others descend towards the chin, and communicate 

 there with other branches. 



(c) The coronary artery of the upper lip. Larger and more tortuous than the 

 preceding branch, with which it often arises, this vessel runs across between the 

 muscles and mucous membrane of the upper lip, and inosculates with its fellow of 

 the opposite side. In addition to supplying the whole thickness of the upper lip, it 

 gives two or three small branches to the nose. One of these, named the artery of Ihe 

 septum, runs along the lower border of the septum nasi, on Avhich it ramifies as far as 

 the point of the nose ; another reaches the ala of the nose. 



(d) The lateral nasal artery. This branch turns inwards to the side of the nose 

 beneath the common elevator of the nose and lip, and sends branches to the ala and 

 the dorsum of the nose. It anastomoses with the nasal branch of the ophthalmic, with 

 the artery of the septum nasi, and with the infiaorbital artery. 



(e) Angular artery. Under this name is recognised the terminal part of the 

 facial artery, which inosculates at the inner side of the orbit wil/h a terminal branch 

 of the ophthalmic artery. 



Communication between the superficial and deep branches of the external carotid 

 is established by the anastomoses of the facial artery with the infraorbital, buccal, 

 inferior dental, and nasal branches of the internal maxillary ; and between the 

 external and the internal carotids by the anastomosis of the facial with the ophthalmic 

 arteries. 



PECULIARITIES. Origin. The facial artery not unfrequently arises by a common 

 trunk with the lingual. Occasionally it arises above its usual position, and then 

 descends beneath the angle of the jaw to assume its ordinary course. 



Size. This artery varies much in size, and the extent to which it is distributed. 

 It has been observed, very rarely however, to end as the submental, not reaching the 

 side of the face ; in some cases it supplies the face only as high as the lower lip. 

 The deficiency of the facial artery is most frequently compensated for by an enlarge- 



