Branches of the external carotid artery. Anatomy of the internal and external carotid arteries Which artery is a branch of the external carotid

External carotid artery, a. carotis externa, supplies blood to the outer parts of the head and neck, which is why it is called external in contrast to the internal carotid artery, which penetrates the cranial cavity. From its origin, the external carotid artery rises upward and passes inward from the posterior abdomen of the m. digastrici and m. stylohyoideus, pierces the parotid gland and behind the neck of the condylar process lower jaw splits into its final branches.

The branches of the external carotid artery are for the most part remnants of arterial arches and nourish the organs arising from the branchial arches. They go (number 9) as if along the radii of a circle corresponding to the head, and can be divided into three groups of three arteries in each - anterior, middle and back group, or triplets.

The anterior group is determined by the development and location of the organs supplied by the arteries of this group and which are derivatives of the branchial arches, namely: the thyroid gland and larynx - a. thyroidea superior, tongue - a. lingualis and faces - a. facialis.

1. A. thyroidea superior, the superior artery of the thyroid gland, departs from the external carotid artery immediately above its beginning, goes down and forward to thyroid gland, where it anastomoses with other thyroid arteries. Along the way he gives a. laryngea superior, which together with n. laryngeus superior perforates lig. thyrohyoideum and supplies branches to the muscles, ligaments and mucous membrane of the larynx.
2. A. lingualis, lingual artery, departs at the level of the greater horns of the hyoid bone, goes up through Pirogov's triangle, covered by m. hyoglossus, and goes to the tongue. Before entering it, it gives off branches to the hyoid bone, palatine tonsils and sublingual gland. Having entered the tongue, the trunk of the lingual artery continues to the tip of the tongue called a. profunda linguae, which along the way gives off multiple branches to the back of the tongue, rr. dorsales linguae.
3. A. facialis, facial artery, departs slightly higher than the previous one at the level of the angle of the lower jaw, passes inwards from the posterior abdomen of m. digastricus and reaches the anterior edge of m. masseter, where it bends over the edge of the jaw onto the face. Here, in front of m. masseter, it can be pressed against the lower jaw. Next, it goes to the medial corner of the eye, where the terminal branch (a. angularis) anastomoses with a. dorsalis nasi (branch of a. ophthalmica from the internal carotid artery system). Before bending through the lower jaw, it gives branches to nearby formations: to the pharynx and soft palate, to the palatine tonsils, to the submandibular gland and diaphragm of the mouth, to salivary glands; after the bend - to the upper and lower lips. Back group.
4. A. occipitalis, the occipital artery, lies in the groove on the processus mastoideus, appears under the skin in the occipital area, branches to the crown. On its way a. occipitalis gives a number of small branches: to the surrounding muscles, to the auricle, to the dura mater of the brain in the posterior region cranial fossa.
5. A. auricularis posterior, posterior auricular artery, goes up and back to the skin behind auricle. Its branches are distributed in the auricle, in the skin and muscles of the back of the head, as well as in tympanic cavity, where its branch penetrates through the foramen stylomastoidieum.
6. A. sternocleidomastoidea - to the muscle of the same name. Middle group consists of remnants of arterial arches.
7. A. pharyngea ascendens, the ascending pharyngeal artery, goes up the wall of the pharynx, supplying it with the soft palate, tonsil, auditory tube, tympanic cavity and hard shell brain.
8. A. temporalis superficialis, the superficial temporal artery, one of the two terminal branches of the external carotid artery, runs as a continuation of the trunk a. carotis externa in front of the external auditory canal to the temple, located under the skin on the fascia of the temporal muscle. Here the artery can be pressed against temporal bone. Its terminal branches, ramus frontalis and ramus parietalis, branch in the region of the crown and temple. Along the way she gives branches to parotid gland, to the lateral surface of the auricle and to the external auditory canal; Some of the branches go to the back of the face, to the outer corner of the eye, to m. orbicularis oculi and zygomatic bone. A. temporalis superficialis also supplies m. temporalis.
9. A. maxillaris, the maxillary artery, is the other terminal branch of the external carotid artery. To facilitate the study of its branches, its short trunk is divided into three sections: the first goes around the neck of the jaw, the second passes into the fossa infratemporalis along the surface of m. pterygoideus lateralis, the third penetrates into the fossa pterygopalatina.

The branches of the first section go upward to the external auditory canal, into the tympanic cavity, where they penetrate through the fissura petrotympanica; to the dura mater of the brain - a. meningea media, middle meningeal artery (the largest branch), where it penetrates through the foramen spinosum, and down to lower teeth, a. alveolaris inferior, inferior alveolar artery. The latter passes into the lower jaw through the canalis mandibulae. Before joining the channel a. alveoldris inferior gives r. mylohyoideus to the sonominal muscle, and in the canal it supplies the lower teeth with its branches and leaves it through the foramen mentale, receiving the name a. mentalis, which branches in the skin and muscles of the chin.

The branches of the second section go to all the chewing and buccal muscles, receiving names corresponding to the muscles, as well as to the mucous membrane of the sinus maxillaris and the upper molars - aa. alveolares superiores posteriores, posterior superior alveolar arteries.

Branches of the third department:

1. a. infraorbital, infraorbital artery, enters the orbit through fissura orbitalis inferior, then exits to the anterior surface through canalis infraorbitalis upper jaw and sends branches to the lower eyelid, to the lacrimal sac and down to the upper lip and cheek. Here it anastomoses with the branches of the facial artery, so that if blood flow in the trunk of a. maxillaris blood can enter its pool through a. facialis. Still in the eye socket a. infraorbitalis gives branches to the muscles eyeball; passing in the infraorbital canal, it supplies the canine and incisors with branches (aa. alveolares superiores anteribres) and the mucous membrane of the sinus maxillaris;
2. branches to the palate, pharynx and auditory tube, some of which descend down into the canalis palatinus major, exit through the foramina palatina majus et minores and branch in the hard and soft palate;
3. a. sphenopalatina, sphenopalatine artery, penetrates through the opening of the same name into nasal cavity, giving branches to its lateral wall and to the septum; the anterior part of the nasal cavity receives blood through the aa. ethmoidales anterior et posterior (from a. ophthalmica).

The external carotid artery (a. carotis externa) is initially located medial to the internal carotid artery. From the level of the upper edge of the thyroid cartilage it goes to the temporomandibular joint (Fig. 393). Near the posterior edge of the branch of the lower jaw in the fossa retromandibularis, it is surrounded by the parotid gland, located deeper than the branches of the facial and hypoglossal nerves, m. digastricus (posterior abdomen), m. stylohyoideus and mandibular vein. It lies anterior and lateral to the internal carotid artery. Between them are m. styloglossus and m. stylohyoideus.

The branches of the external carotid artery are divided into 4 groups: anterior, posterior, medial and terminal.

393. Branches of the external carotid artery. 1 - r. frontalis a. temporalis superficialis; 2 - a. temporalis profunda; 3 - a. maxillaris; 4 - a. angularis; 5 - a. alveolaris superior posterior; 6 - a. facialis; 7 - a. labialis superior; 8 - a. labialis inferior; 9 - a. thyroidea superior; 10 - a. carotis interna; 11 - a. carotis externa; 12 - a. lingualis; 13 - a. facialis; 14 - v. jugularis interna; 15 - a. occipitalis; 16 - a. alveolaris inferior; 17 - a. auricularis posterior.

Anterior branch group, a) The superior thyroid artery (a. thyroidea superior) has a diameter of 2 - 3 mm and begins at the origin of the external carotid artery, goes medially and down to the thyroid gland. In 30% of cases it is a branch of the common carotid artery. In addition to the thyroid and parathyroid glands, supplies blood to the hyoid bone, sternocleidomastoid muscle and larynx.

The largest branch of the superior thyroid artery is the superior laryngeal artery, which penetrates the larynx through the membrana hyothyroidea, forming an arterial plexus in the laryngeal mucosa.
b) The lingual artery (a. lingualis) begins 1 -1.5 cm above the previous artery at the level of the greater horn of the hyoid bone. It goes upward and medially, making several bends. Its initial short part is located in the carotid triangle, then passes along the posterior surface of the hyoglossus muscle, penetrating under the intermediate tendon of the digastric muscle into the Pirogov triangle. From the triangle, the artery passes to the root of the tongue, where it divides into a number of branches. The outside is covered by the muscles lying above the hyoid bone. Supplies blood to the tongue, hyoid bone, sublingual salivary gland, lingual and palatine tonsils. Anastomoses with the branches of the facial artery in the trigonum submandibulare, in the capsule of the salivary submandibular gland.
c) The facial artery (a. facialis) begins 0.5-1 cm above the lingual artery. In 20% of cases it originates from a common trunk with a. lingualis. The facial artery goes forward and upward, reaching inner surface angle of the lower jaw, located above m. stylohyoideus and n. hypoglossus, posterior belly m. digastricus. Then, having passed the submandibular salivary gland, the artery bends at the anterior edge of m. masseter, through the edge of the body of the lower jaw and extends onto the face. In the facial region it is located near the corner of the mouth, the wing of the nose and anastomoses in the medial corner of the orbit with a. dorsalis nasi (branch of a. ophthalmica). Branches extend from the facial artery to the soft palate and tonsil, pharynx, submandibular salivary gland, chin, lower and upper lips, external nose, and lower eyelid. In the thickness of the cheek, the branches of the facial artery form three arterial plexuses located in the skin, subcutaneous tissue and submucosal layer. The capillary networks of the mucous membrane in the gum area anastomose with the capillaries of the a. maxillaris.

The facial artery anastomoses with the orbital, temporal, maxillary and lingual arteries.

Group of posterior branches, a) The sternocleidomastoid artery (a. sternocleidomastoidea) branches at the level of the origin of the facial artery, then goes laterally and down to the corresponding muscle.
b) The occipital artery (a. occipitalis) arises at the level of the facial artery, goes up and back along the posterior belly of the digastric muscle to mastoid process, lies between the skin and the aponeurosis of the head. Supplies blood to the muscles of the back of the head, the mastoid process, and the dura mater. Anastomoses with the superficial temporal and posterior auricular arteries.
c) The posterior auricular artery (a. auricularis posterior) departs 0.5 cm above the previous one (in 2.5% of cases - through a common trunk), follows up and back to the styloid process of the skull. A branch arises from it and supplies the facial nerve with blood. Then it passes between the auricle and the mastoid process. Supplies blood to the mastoid process, tympanic cavity, ear muscles and auricle.

Group of medial branches, a) The ascending pharyngeal artery (a. pharyngea ascendens), thin (diameter 1-2 mm) begins at the same level with a. lingualis, and sometimes at the site of division of the common carotid artery. Initially goes between the internal and external carotid arteries. Then superiorly it is located between the internal carotid artery and the superior pharyngeal constrictor. Vascularizes the pharynx, dura mater in the posterior cranial fossa, mucous membrane of the tympanic cavity and auditory tube.

End branch group. Consists of the maxillary and superficial temporal artery.

The maxillary artery (a. maxillaris) is located in infratemporal fossa(Fig. 393). Its terminal part reaches the pterygopalatine fossa. Topographically, this artery can be divided into three sections: mandibular, infratemporal and pterygopalatine (Fig. 394).

394. Branches of the maxillary artery (diagram).
1 - a. temporalis superficialis; 2 - a. maxillaris; 3 - a. carotis externa; 4 - a. alveolaris inferior; 5 - a. masseterica; 6 - a. pterygoidea; 7 - a. buccinatoria; 8 - aa. alveolares superiores anteriores; 9 - aa. alveolares superiores posteriores; 10 - a. infraorbitalis; 11 - a. sphenopalatina; 12 - a. canalis pterygoidei; 13 - a. palatina descendens; 14 - a. temporalis profunda anterior; 15 - a. temporalis profunda posterior; 16 - a. meningea accessory; 17 - a. meningae media; 18 - a. tympanica anterior; 19 - a. auricularis profunda.

The mandibular artery goes around the temporomandibular joint from the medial side and gives off 3 branches: 1) the inferior alveolar artery (a. alveolaris inferior), running down between the branch of the mandible and the medial pterygoid muscle, into the mandibular canal. Supplies blood to the lower teeth, lower jaw and gums. Its final branch is a. mentalis - exits through the opening of the same name onto the chin, where it anastomoses with the branches of a. facialis. From the inferior alveolar artery, before it enters the mandibular canal, the m. mylohyoideus for blood supply to the muscle of the same name;
2) deep ear artery (a. auricularis profunda), going back and up to supply blood to the external auditory canal and eardrum. Anastomoses with the occipital and posterior auricular arteries;
3) anterior tympanic artery (a. tympanica anterior), often starting from a common trunk with the previous one. Penetrates into the tympanic cavity through fissura petrotympanica, where it vascularizes its mucous membrane.

The infratemporal section of the maxillary artery is located in the infratemporal fossa between the pterygoid muscles. 6 branches depart from this section of the maxillary artery.
1. The middle meningeal artery (a. meningea media) runs along the inner surface of the lateral pterygoid muscle and supplies it with blood. Then it penetrates through for. spinosum into the skull. Supplies blood to the dura mater, node trigeminal nerve and the mucous membrane of the tympanic cavity.

2. The deep temporal arteries - anterior and posterior (aa. temporales profundae anterior et posterior) are directed parallel to the edges of the temporal muscle, in which they branch.

3. The masticatory artery (a. masseterica) passes to the masticatory muscle through the incisura mandibulae.

4. Posterior superior alveolar artery (a. alveolaris superior posterior) - several of its branches penetrate into the thickness of the upper jaw through openings in the tubercle. Provides blood supply to large molars, gums and the mucous membrane of the maxillary sinus.

5. The buccal artery (a. buccalis) supplies blood to the muscles and mucous membrane of the cheek. Anastomoses with the branches of the facial artery.

6. Pterygoidei branches (rr. pterygoidei), numbering 3-4, supply blood to the muscles of mastication of the same name. Anastomose with the posterior alveolar arteries.

The pterygopalatine section of the maxillary artery is the final one. The maxillary artery at the anterior edge of the internal masseter muscle turns medially and goes to the pterygopalatine fossa. 3 arteries originate from the pterygopalatine region.
1. The infraorbital artery (a. infraorbitalis) penetrates the orbit through fissura orbitalis inferior, lies in the infraorbital groove and exits through the opening of the same name onto the face. At the bottom of the infraorbital groove (or sometimes canal), the anterior superior alveolar arteries (aa. alveolares superiores anteriores) originate from the artery and go to the front upper teeth and gums. In the orbit it supplies blood to the muscles of the eyeball, and on the face - to the skin, muscles and part of the upper jaw. Connects to branches of a. facialis and a. ophthalmica.

2. The descending palatine artery (a. palatina descendens) goes down the canalis palatinus major to the hard and soft palate, ending in the form of a. palatina major et aa. palatinae minores. From the beginning of the descending palatine artery a. canalis pterygoidei, which supplies the nasal part of the pharynx with blood.

3. The sphenopalatine artery (a. sphenopalatina) “penetrates the nasal cavity through the opening of the same name, branching into aa. nasales posteriores, laterales et septi. Anastomoses with a. palatina major.

The superficial temporal artery (a. temporalis superficialis), the terminal branch of the external carotid artery, originates at the level of the neck of the articular process of the lower jaw in the thickness of the parotid salivary gland, then passes in front of the cartilaginous part of the external auditory canal and is located under the skin in the temporal region, where it is easily palpated. Gives off auricular, frontal, parietal and occipital branches.

Supplies blood to the skin and muscles of the head. Anastomoses with branches of the occipital and ophthalmic arteries.

Angiograms of the branches of the external carotid artery
The arteries of the facial skull can be seen on radiographs only after the injection of a contrast agent into the external carotid, common carotid or facial artery. Angiograms distinguish the area of ​​blood supply, branching features, and anastomoses. Major artery from the moment of introduction is filled in contrast agent after 3 - 5 s, after 6-7 s the arterioles and capillaries are filled, after 8-9 s - the veins.

External carotid artery and its branches

External carotid artery(a. carotis externa) goes up, first anterior and medial to the internal carotid artery, and then lateral to it and gives off a number of large branches. At the level of the neck of the mandible, the external carotid artery divides into its terminal branches: the superficial temporal and maxillary arteries. In the neck area, behind the angle of the lower jaw, the anterior, posterior and medial branches depart from the external carotid artery.

The anterior branches of the external carotid artery include the superior thyroid, lingual and facial arteries.

Superior thyroid artery(a. thyroidea superior) departs from the external carotid artery at its beginning, goes forward and down to the thyroid gland, which go to the muscles of the same name.

Lingual artery(a. lingualis) departs from the external carotid artery at the level of the greater horn of the hyoid bone, goes forward and medially along the lower surface of the hyoglossus muscle, going to the sublingual salivary gland, fundus muscles oral cavity, gum.

Facial artery(a. facialis) departs from the external carotid artery just above the beginning of the lingual artery, bends over the edge of the lower jaw and goes up and medially towards the medial corner of the eye.

TO posterior branches The external carotid artery includes the occipital and posterior auricular arteries; it departs from the external carotid artery next to the facial artery, goes posteriorly under the posterior belly of the digastric muscle, lies in the groove of the occipital artery of the temporal bone, and ends in the skin of the back of the head with the occipital branches. They arise from the occipital artery sternocleidomastoid branches- to the muscle of the same name, auricular branch - to the auricle, mastoid branch- to the dura mater of the brain, descending branch- to the back muscles of the neck.

Posterior auricular artery(a. auricularis posterior) departs from the external carotid artery above the posterior belly of the digastric muscle, goes backward and upward. They arise from the posterior auricular artery auricular branch - to the auricle, occipital branch - to the mastoid process and the back of the head, stylomastoid artery, which goes into the canal through the hole of the same name facial nerve where she gives posterior tympanic artery- to the mucous membrane of the tympanic cavity.

It departs medially from the initial part of the external carotid artery ascending pharyngeal artery(a. pharyngea ascendens), which rises upward between the internal carotid artery and the lateral wall of the pharynx to the outer base of the skull, to jugular foramen. They arise from the ascending pharyngeal artery pharyngeal branches, palatine branch to the soft palate, eustachian tube, prevertebral branches to the prevertebral muscle group, posterior meningeal artery - to solid meninges, And inferior tympanic artery - to the mucous membrane of the tympanic cavity.

The terminal branches of the external carotid artery are the superficial temporal and maxillary arteries.

Superficial temporal artery(a. temporalis superficialis) goes up between the outer ear canal and the articular process of the lower jaw and is directed to temporal region under the skin, where it can be felt at the level of the root of the zygomatic arch. The superficial temporal artery gives off branches to the parotid gland, transverse artery of the face- to facial muscles and skin of the buccal and infraorbital areas, anterior auricular artery - to the auricle and external auditory canal, zygomaticoorbital artery- to the lateral canthus and the orbicularis oculi muscle, middle temporal artery, penetrating through the layers of the temporal fascia to the temporal muscle. The superficial temporal artery supplies the supracranial muscle, skin of the frontal and parietal regions.

Maxillary artery(a. maxillaris) departs from the external carotid artery at the level of the neck of the lower jaw, goes to the pterygopalatine fossa, where it breaks up into terminal branches. The maxillary artery is divided into maxillary, pterygoid and pterygopalatine sections. In area maxillary department, near the medial side of the branches of the mandible, they arise from the maxillary artery deep auricular artery(a. auricularis profunda) - to the temporomandibular joint, external auditory canal and to the eardrum, anterior tympanic artery(a. tympanica anterior), passing through the petrotympanic fissure and giving off a branch to the mucous membrane of the tympanic cavity, and middle meningeal artery(a. meningea media), passing through the foramen spinosum - to the dura mater of the brain and the trigeminal ganglion. The superior tympanic artery departs from this artery - through the gap of the lesser petrosal nerve, to the mucous membrane of the tympanic cavity, and an additional branch - to the pterygoid muscles and the auditory tube. In the maxillary region, the maxillary artery also gives off inferior alveolar artery(a. alveolaris inferior), which goes into the canal of the lower jaw, gives off branches to the teeth, periodontium, alveoli and gums. Before entering the canal, the artery gives off the mylohyoid branch to the muscle of the same name. From this canal the artery departs through the mental foramen mental branch(g. mentalis), which ends in the skin and muscles of the chin area. Along with the inferior alveolar artery, the pterygoid branches, masticatory, lingual, facial and maxillary arteries participate in the blood supply of the lower jaw.

IN pterygoid section The masticatory artery, deep temporal arteries, pterygoid branches, buccal artery, and posterior superior alveolar arteries depart from the maxillary artery. Masseteric artery(a. masseterica) goes to the muscle of the same name. Anterior and posterior deep temporal arteries(aa. temporales profundae anterior et posterior) supply the temporal muscle, pterygoid branches(rr. pterygoidei) - medial and lateral pterygoid muscles. Buccal artery(a. buccalis) goes to the buccal muscle and to the mucous membrane of the cheek. Posterior superior alveolar artery(a. alveolaris superior posterior) passes through the hole of the same name into maxillary sinus, supplies its mucous membrane with blood, and its dental and periodontal branches(rr. dentales et peridentales) go to the back teeth, periodontium, alveoli and gums of the upper jaw.

In the pterygopalatine region Its terminal branches depart from the maxillary artery: the infraorbital artery, the pterygoid canal, the descending palatine and sphenopalatine arteries to the nasal mucosa.

Common carotid artery (arteria carotis communis) originates to the right of the innominate artery, to the left of the aortic arch.

It is located behind the sternoclavicular joint under the sternocleidomastoid muscle, bordering laterally with the internal jugular vein and vagus nerve, medially with the trachea, esophagus and thyroid gland, front with neck loop, back with deep muscles neck.

Common carotid artery at the level of the upper edge of the thyroid cartilage (III-IV cervical vertebrae) is divided into two branches: the external and internal carotid arteries.

In the area of ​​bifurcation in the adventitia there is carotid tangle (glomus caroticus), whose function is to regulate heart function and blood pressure.

Irritation of carotid sinus receptors leads to a slowdown of the heart, dilation of peripheral vessels and a decrease in blood pressure.

External carotid artery ( arteria carotis externa) supplies blood to the outer parts of the head and neck. From the place of its origin it rises upward, passes inwards from the posterior abdomen m. digastrici And m. stylohyoideus, pierces the parotid gland and behind the neck of the articular process of the lower jaw is divided into its terminal branches:

1. Superior thyroid artery (arteria thyroidea superior) – to the thyroid gland;

2. Lingual artery (arteria lingualis) – to the tongue, gives branches to the hyoid bone, palatine tonsils and sublingual gland;

3. Facial artery(arteria facialis) – gives branches to the pharynx and soft palate, to the palatine tonsils, to the submandibular gland and diaphragm of the mouth, to the salivary glands, to the upper and lower lip;

4. Occipital artery (arteria occipitalis) – branches to the surrounding muscles in the back of the head, to the auricle, to the dura mater of the posterior cranial fossa;

5. Posterior auricular artery(arteria auricularis posterior) – auricle, skin and muscles of the back of the head, tympanic cavity;

6. Sternocleidomastoid (arteria sternocleidomastoidea) – to the muscle of the same name;

7. Ascending pharyngeal artery (arteria pharingea ascendes) – up the wall of the pharynx, supplying it with the soft palate, palatine tonsil, eustachian tube, tympanic cavity and dura mater;

8. Superficial temporal artery (arteria temporalis superficialis) – the terminal branches branch in the region of the crown and temple. Along the way it gives branches to the parotid gland, to the lateral surface of the auricle and to the external auditory canal; to the outer corner of the eye, to m. orbicularis oculi and zygomatic bone, to m. temporalis.

9. Maxillary artery (arteria maxillaris) – branches to the external auditory canal, into the tympanic cavity, to the dura mater of the middle cranial fossa ( arteria meningea media – through foramen spinosum), to the lower teeth; to the masticatory and buccal muscles, to the mucous membrane sinus maxillaries and upper molars; arteria infraorbitalis – to the lower eyelid, to the lacrimal sac, upper lip and cheek, to the muscles of the eyeball, branches to the pharynx and eustachian tube.

The superficial temporal and maxillary arteries are the terminal branches of the external carotid artery.

The facial, maxillary, and superficial temporal branches form anastomoses with the branches of the internal carotid artery.

Internal carotid artery (arteria carotis interna) It has extracranial section, including 2 segments: sinus and cervical segment, and intracranial section, which consists of 3 segments: intraosseous, siphon and medullary.

The extracranial section does not give off any branches.

The internal carotid artery bypasses the external carotid artery, first backward and laterally, then forward and medially; Before entering the carotid canal, it makes a bend towards the midline.

In the carotid canal (intraosseous segment) there is a bend from vertical position to horizontal. Upon exiting the bony canal of the pyramid, the artery passes through the cavernous sinus, making an S-shaped bend (siphon), bending forward as it exits the sinus. The artery then passes through the dura mater and enters the subarachnoid space. This is where it starts cerebral a segment of the internal carotid artery that goes to the place where it divides into two main branches - the anterior ( arteria cerebri anterior) and average ( arteria cerebri media) cerebral arteries. In the carotid canal, the internal carotid artery gives off carotid-tympanic branches, which nourish the periosteum of the canal walls, the lower wall of the tympanic cavity, and the cochlea. From the siphon of the internal carotid artery, non-permanent branches extend to the dura mater of the base of the skull, to the cavernous sinus, pituitary gland, and cerebellar tentorium.

Before dividing into terminal branches, after exiting the cavernous sinus, it gives the following branches:

1. Orbital artery (arteria ophtalmica) - into the cavity of the orbit, gives branches to the dura mater, to the lacrimal gland, eyeball, muscles of the eyeball, to the eyelids, nasal mucosa.

2. Posterior communicating artery (arteria communicans posterior) - goes back and flows into the posterior cerebral artery. Supplies blood to the mamillary bodies, chiasm, optic tract, gray tubercle, infundibulum and pituitary gland, anterior third of the optic tubercle, knee and lower part of the posterior thigh of the internal capsule.

3. Anterior artery choroid plexus (arteria chorioidea) – departs proximal to the middle cerebral and lateral to the posterior communicating artery, enters the lower horn of the lateral ventricle, ending in plexus chorioideus. It supplies blood to the amygdala nucleus, hippocampal gyrus, posterior sections of the caudate nucleus, medial sections of the globus pallidus, ventral nucleus of the thalamus optic, fornix, posterior 2/3 of the posterior femur of the internal capsule, partially the pyramidal tract at the base of the cerebral peduncle, plexus of the inferior horn of the lateral ventricle.