Transverse artery

Transverse artery is a term used in anatomy to refer to several arteries in the human body. The most commonly referred to are the transverse cervical artery and the transverse facial artery.

Transverse cervical artery

The transverse cervical artery is a branch of the thyrocervical trunk which runs transversely in the posterior triangle of the neck. It supplies blood to the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles, as well as the skin overlying them.

Transverse cervical artery

Transverse facial artery

The transverse facial artery is a branch of the external carotid artery. It runs transversely across the face, just below the zygomatic arch, supplying blood to the parotid gland and duct, masseter muscle, and overlying skin and mucous membrane.

Transverse facial artery

See also

• Artery
• Human anatomy
• Cervical artery
• Facial artery