The blood supply of the head and neck arises from two main contributors: the carotid system supplying the head and the upper parts of the neck, and the branches of the subclavian artery supplying the lower parts of the neck.

The carotid system

Generally, the carotid system supplies the upper neck and head (including most of the brain). It consists of the internal and external carotid arteries:

  • The carotid system of each side begins with the common carotid artery (CCA)
    • The left CCA branches out of the arch of the aorta
    • The right CCA branches out of the brachiocephalic trunk
    • Thus, the two CCAs are of different length -- the right one is 1cm shorter
  • Both sides have a similar course from the neck upwards
  • The CCA branches out to the internal (ICA) and external carotid artery (ECA) approximately at the level of the 4th cervical vertebra (C4) or at the superior edge of the thyroid cartilage
  • The external carotid artery is the main contributor to the blood supply of the head and upper neck, while the internal carotid artery supplies only small parts of it (its main blood supply is the brain)
Figure 1. Aortic arch and related structures (Credit: OpenStax, CC BY-SA 4.0)

Branches of the subclavian artery

The subclavian artery supplies the upper limbs, neck, spinal cord, and the posterior

Subscribe now to continue reading

Join hundreds of successful students who use Meddists to ace their exams.

Gain access to all of the material and topics, custom-made just for you.

Continue