15.1.1 Origin

The external carotid artery (Fig. 15.1) begins at the bifurcation from the common carotid, lateral to the upper border of the thyroid cartilage, between C3 and C4. The external carotid is situated anteromedial of the internal carotid.

Fig. 15.1 External carotid artery.

15.1.2 Course

The external carotid artery is initially oblique, adopting a vertical course after the angle of the mandible.

15.1.3 Terminal branches

The external carotid artery ends at the neck of the mandibular condyle.

15.1.4 Collaterals

The external carotid artery has six collateral branches:

Only the lingual and pharyngeal arteries are omitted from our description. They are difficult to access and respond poorly to our manipulations.

15.2.1 Palpation

At its origin, the external carotid is covered only by skin, the platysma, and the superficial cervical aponeurosis. Leaving the carotid triangle it is covered by the digastric and stylohoid muscles and is crossed by the hypoglossal nerve. It is lateral in relation to the pharynx and anterior to the internal carotid artery.