Occipital artery

Occipital artery is an artery that arises from the external carotid artery and supplies blood to the posterior part of the scalp and the upper part of the neck. It is a major artery of the head and neck.

Anatomy

The occipital artery originates from the external carotid artery opposite the facial artery. It ascends to the posterior part of the scalp by curving around the lateral side of the mastoid process, between the posterior belly of the digastric muscle and the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

Branches

The occipital artery gives off several branches, including the sternocleidomastoid branch, the mastoid branch, the meningeal branch, and the descending branch. These branches supply blood to various parts of the head and neck.

Clinical significance

The occipital artery can be involved in various medical conditions, such as migraines, scalp infections, and scalp injuries. It can also be used in surgical procedures, such as microvascular free tissue transfer.

See also

• Carotid artery
• External carotid artery
• Internal carotid artery

References

Occipital artery Resources
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