External carotid artery the vagus, and part of the parotid gland. As the artery travels upwards, it supplies: The external carotid artery terminates as two branches: Several mnemonics are commonly used to remember the main branches of the external carotid artery. External carotid artery The external carotid artery is a major artery of the head and neck. It arises from the common carotid artery when it splits into the external and internal carotid artery. It supplies blood to the face and neck. The external carotid artery begins at the upper border of thyroid cartilage, and curves, passing forward and upward, and then inclining
Carotid artery dissection may remain asymptomatic, have a hemispheric transient ischemic event, or suffer a stroke. Arterial dissection of the carotid arteries occurs when a small tear forms in the innermost lining of the arterial wall (known as the tunica intima). Blood is then able to enter the space between the inner and outer layers of the vessel, causing narrowing (stenosis) or complete occlusion. The stenosis that occurs in the early stages of arterial dissection is a dynamic process and some occlusions can return to stenosis very quickly. When complete occlusion occurs, it may lead to ischaemia. Often, even a complete occlusion is