2-11. BLOOD SUPPLY OF THE JAWS AND TEETH
a. Arterial Blood. Arteries carry blood from the heart to the tissues of the body.
The principal arteries supplying the head and the neck are the common carotid arteries.
These arteries ascend within the tissues of the neck, one on the right side and one on
the left side. See figure 2-14.
(1) The internal carotid. At the level of the hyoid bone, each common artery
divides into an internal carotid and an external carotid. The internal carotid supplies the
tissues of the cranium and the eyes.
(2) The external carotid. The external carotid with its eight branches,
supplies the exterior of the head, face, and much of the neck. The external carotid, just
above its division from the common carotid, gives off the lingual artery. The lingual
artery supplies the tongue. Just above the origin of the lingual artery, it gives off
another branch, the facial artery. This artery supplies the soft tissues of the side of the
face.
Figure 2-14. The common carotid artery and its branches.
MD0501
2-19