Which structures does the external carotid artery supply?

Which structures does the external carotid artery supply?

• A. Thyroid, tongue, throat, face, ears, nose
• B. Anterior cerebral circulation
• C. Brainstem
• D. Spinal cord

Answer: (A)

The external carotid artery feeds the structures in the face, neck, and superficial head, including the thyroid gland, tongue, pharynx (throat), face, ears, and nose. Its branches reach the skin and mucosa of these regions and include arteries like the superior thyroid (thyroid), lingual (tongue), facial (face), and several nasal and ear branches. The brain, on the other hand, is supplied mainly by the internal carotid arteries (anterior circulation) and the vertebrobasilar system (brainstem and spinal cord). That’s why the option listing thyroid, tongue, throat, face, ears, and nose best describes what the external carotid artery supplies.

The external carotid artery feeds the structures in the face, neck, and superficial head, including the thyroid gland, tongue, pharynx (throat), face, ears, and nose. Its branches reach the skin and mucosa of these regions and include arteries like the superior thyroid (thyroid), lingual (tongue), facial (face), and several nasal and ear branches. The brain, on the other hand, is supplied mainly by the internal carotid arteries (anterior circulation) and the vertebrobasilar system (brainstem and spinal cord). That’s why the option listing thyroid, tongue, throat, face, ears, and nose best describes what the external carotid artery supplies.