Posterior auricular artery
The posterior auricular artery is a small artery that arises from the external carotid artery, above the digastric muscle and stylohyoid muscle, opposite the apex of the styloid process.
| Posterior auricular artery | |
|---|---|
 The arteries of the face and scalp. (Posterior auricular visible slightly below ear.) | |
 Superficial dissection of the right side of the neck, showing the carotid and subclavian arteries. | |
| Details | |
| Source | external carotid artery |
| Vein | posterior auricular vein |
| Supplies | scalp posterior to the auricle and to the auricle itself |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | arteria auricularis posterior |
| TA | A12.2.05.037 |
| FMA | 49624 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
It ascends posteriorly beneath the parotid gland, along the styloid process of the temporal bone, between the cartilage of the ear and the mastoid process of the temporal bone along the lateral side of the head. The posterior auricular artery gives off the stylomastoid artery, small branches to the auricle, and supplies blood to the scalp posterior to the auricle. A person may be able to "hear" their own heart rate via this artery, under certain conditions.
See also
- Anterior auricular branches of superficial temporal artery
- Posterior auricular nerve
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