Occipital artery
3907428
224660356
2008-07-09T21:19:44Z
Jonathan Cardy
4071608
disambig Atlas
{{Infobox Artery |
Name = {{PAGENAME}} |
Latin = arteria occipitalis |
GraySubject = 144 |
GrayPage = 556 |
Image = Gray508.png |
Caption = The arteries of the face and scalp. (Occipital visible at center left.) |
Image2 = Occipital artery.PNG|
Caption2 = Superficial dissection of the right side of the neck, showing the carotid and subclavian arteries.|
BranchFrom = [[external carotid artery]] |
BranchTo = |
Vein = [[occipital vein]] |
Supplies = [[occiput]], [[scalp]] |
MeshName = |
MeshNumber = |
DorlandsPre = a_61 |
DorlandsSuf = 12155290 |
}}
The '''occipital artery''' arise opposite the [[facial artery]], its path is below the posterior belly of [[digastic]] to the [[occipital]] region. This artery supplies blood to the back of the scalp and [[sterno-mastoid]] muscles. Other muscles it supplies are deep muscles in the back and neck.
==Course and Relations==
At its origin, it is covered by the posterior belly of the [[Digastricus]] and the [[Stylohyoideus]], and the [[hypoglossal nerve]] winds around it from behind forward; higher up, it crosses the [[internal carotid artery]], the [[internal jugular vein]], and the [[vagus]] and [[accessory nerve]]s.
It next ascends to the interval between the transverse process of the [[Atlas (anatomy)|atlas]] and the [[mastoid process]] of the [[temporal bone]], and passes horizontally backward, grooving the surface of the latter bone, being covered by the [[Sternocleidomastoideus]], [[Splenius capitis]], [[Longissimus capitis]], and [[Digastricus]], and resting upon the [[Rectus capitis lateralis]], the [[Obliquus superior]], and [[Semispinalis capitis]].
It then changes its course and runs vertically upward, pierces the fascia connecting the cranial attachment of the [[Trapezius]] with the [[Sternocleidomastoideus]], and ascends in a tortuous course in the superficial fascia of the scalp, where it divides into numerous branches, which reach as high as the [[vertex (anatomy)|vertex of the skull]] and [[anastomose]] with the [[posterior auricular]] and [[superficial temporal]] arteries.
===Branches===
# Sternocleidomastoid branch
# Auricular branch
# Mastoid branch
# Descending branches
# Occipital branches
Its terminal portion is accompanied by the [[greater occipital nerve]].
==Additional images==
<gallery>
Image:Gray513.png|The internal carotid and vertebral arteries. Right side.
Image:Gray790.png|The nerves of the scalp, face, and side of neck.
Image:Gray800.png|Posterior primary divisions of the upper three cervical nerves.
Image:Gray1210.png|Side of neck, showing chief surface markings.
</gallery>
==External links==
* {{eMedicineDictionary|Occipital+artery}}
* {{MUNAnatomy|head/cbv}}
* {{NormanAnatomy|lesson4}} ({{NormanAnatomyFig|parotid4}})
* [http://www.stchas.edu/divisions/aao/ace/science/modelpics/circulatory/head.shtml Diagram at stchas.edu]
* [http://cis-ps2.osu-com.okstate.edu/hector/back/OccipitalArterytr.htm Description at okstate.edu]
* http://www.dartmouth.edu/~humananatomy/figures/chapter_47/47-2.HTM
{{Gray's}}
{{circulatory-stub}}
{{Arteries of head and neck}}
[[Category:Arteries]]
[[de:Arteria occipitalis]]
[[nds:Arteria occipitalis]]