GREAT VESSELS AND NERVES OF NECK 297 



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. 229). 



Rami Glandulares. The glandular rami are the three 

 terminal branches. They spring from the main trunk at 

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

 largest is distributed on the medial surface of the lateral 

 lobe ; the smallest ramifies on its lateral surface ; whilst 

 the third runs downwards upon the anterior border of the 

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

 towards its fellow of the opposite side. The anastomosis 

 between the thyreoid arteries of the two sides is by no means 

 free. 



Vena 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 and joins the internal jugular vein. 



Arteria Lingualis. The lingual artery springs from the 

 external carotid at the level of the great cornu of the 

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

 borcleT of the great 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 

 PP- 233, 291. 



Arteria Maxillaris Externa(O.T. Facial Artery). The ex- 

 ternal maxillary artery can be studied, at the present stage of 

 the dissection, from its origin up to the point where it mounts 

 upon the mandible to reach the face. This is termed the 

 cervical part of the artery. It springs from the anterior aspect 

 of the external carotid, immediately 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 this point the 

 superior constrictor is medial to it and separates it from the 



