Blood Supply to the Head and Neck

• Most arteries in the anterior cervical triangle arise from the common carotid artery or one of the branches of the external carotid artery.
• Most veins in the anterior cervical triangle are tributaries of the large internal jugular vein.

The Common Carotid Arteries

• The right common carotid artery begins at the bifurcation of the brachiocephalic trunk, posterior to the right sternoclavicular joint.
• The left common carotid artery begins arises from the arch of the aorta and ascends into the neck, posterior to the left sternoclavicular joint.

• Each common carotid artery ascends into the neck within the carotid sheath to the level of the superior border of the thyroid cartilage.
• Here it terminates by dividing into the internal and external carotid arteries. 

The Internal Carotid Artery

• This is the direct continuation of the common carotid artery and it has no branches in the neck.
• It supplies structures inside the skull.
• The internal carotid arteries are two of the four main arteries that supply blood to the brain.

• Each artery arises from the common carotid at the level of the superior border of the thyroid cartilage.
• It then passes superiorly, almost in a vertical plane, to enter the carotid canal in the petrous part of the temporal bone.

• A plexus of sympathetic fibres accompany it.

• During its course through the neck, the internal carotid artery lies on the longus capitis muscle and the sympathetic trunk.
• The vagus nerve (CN X) lies posterolateral to it.

• The internal carotid artery enters the middle cranial fossa beside the dorsum sellae of the sphenoid bone.
• Within the cranial cavity, the internal carotid artery and its branches supply the hypophysis cerebri (pituitary gland), the orbit, and most of the supratentorial part of the brain. 

The External Carotid Arteries 

• This vessel begins at the bifurcation of the common carotid, at the level of the superior border of the thyroid cartilage.
• It supplies structures external to the skull.

• The external carotid artery runs posterosuperiorly to the region between the neck of the mandible and the lobule of the auricle.
• It terminates by dividing into two branches, the maxillary and superficial temporal arteries.
• The stems of most of the six branches of the external carotid artery are in the carotid triangle. 

The Superior Thyroid Artery

• This is the most inferior of the 3 anterior branches of the external carotid.
• It arises close to the origin of the vessel, just inferior to the greater horn of the hyoid.
• The superior thyroid artery runs anteroinferiorly, deep to the infrahyoid muscles and gives off the superior laryngeal artery. This artery pierces the thyrohyoid membrane in company with the internal laryngeal nerve and supplies the larynx.

The Lingual Artery

• This arises from the external carotid artery as it lies on the middle constrictor muscle of the pharynx.
• It arches superoanteriorly, about 5 mm superior to the tip of the greater horn of the hyoid bone, and then passes deep to the hypoglossal nerve, the stylohyoid muscle, and the posterior belly of digastric muscle.

• It disappears deep to the hyoglossus muscle.
• At the anterior border of this muscle, it turns superiorly and ends by becoming the deep lingual artery.

The Facial Artery

• This arises from the carotid artery either, in common with the lingual artery, or immediately superior to it.
• In the neck the facial artery gives off its important tonsillar branch and branches to the palate and submandibular gland.
• The facial artery then passes superiorly under the cover of the digastric and stylohyoid muscles and the angle of the mandible.

• It loops anteriorly and enters a deep groove in the submandibular gland.

• The facial artery hooks around the inferior border of the mandible and enters the face. Here the pulsation of this artery can be felt (anterior to the masseter muscle).

The Ascending Pharyngeal Artery

• This is the 1^st or 2^nd branch of the external carotid artery.
• This small vessel ascends on the pharynx, deep to the internal carotid artery.
• It sends branches to the pharynx, prevertebral muscles, middle ear and meninges.

The Occipital Artery

• This arises from the posterior surface of the external carotid near the level of the facial artery.
• It passes posteriorly along the inferior border of the posterior belly of digastric.
• It ends in the posterior part of the scalp.
• During its course, it is superficial to the internal carotid artery and three cranial nerves (CN IX, CN X and CN XI).

The Posterior Auricular Artery

• This is a small posterior branch of the external carotid artery.
• It arises from it at the superior border of the posterior belly of the digastric muscle.
• It ascends posteriorly to the external acoustic meatus and supplies adjacent muscles, the parotid gland, the facial nerve, structures in the temporal bone, the auricle, and the scalp. 

The Internal Jugular Vein

• This is usually the largest vein in the neck.
• The internal jugular vein drains blood from the brain and superficial parts of the face and neck.
• Its course corresponds to a line drawn from a point immediately inferior to the external acoustic meatus to the medial end of the clavicle.

• This large vein commences at the jugular foramen in the posterior cranial fossa, as the direct continuation of the sigmoid sinus.

• The dilation at its origin is called the superior bulb of the internal jugular vein.
• From here it runs inferiorly through the neck in the carotid sheath.

• The internal jugular vein leaves the anterior triangle of the neck by passing deep to the SCM muscle.
• Posterior to the sternal end of the clavicle, it unites with the subclavian vein to form the brachiocephalic vein.
• Near its termination is the inferior bulb of the jugular vein contains a bicuspid valve similar to that of the subclavian vein.

• The deep cervical lymph nodes lie along the course of the internal jugular vein, mostly lateral and posterior.

Tributaries of the Internal Jugular Vein

• This large vein is joined at its origin by the: inferior petrosal sinus, the facial, lingual, pharyngeal, superior and middle thyroid veins, and often the occipital vein.

Initially, four clefts exist; however, only one gives rise to a definite structure in adults.

ENDOCRINE

Endocrine glands have no ducts

They secrete into the blood from where the secretion (hormone) reaches a target cell

The following is a list of endocrine glands:

• Hypophysis
• Thyroid
• Parathyroid
• Adrenals
• Islets of Langerhans
• Pineal
• Gonads

Hypophysis: Develops from oral ectoderm and nerve tissue,  The oral part forms an upgrowth with an invagination (Rathke's pouch) The nervous part grows from the floor of the diencephalon - staying intact .The oral part separates from the mouth

Ectoderm – adenohypophysis - pars tuberalis

- pars distalis

- pars intermedia .

Diencephalon – neurohypophysis   - pars nervosa .

- infundibulum

- median eminence

Rathke's pouch remains as Rathke's cysts

Pars Distalis: Forms 75% of the gland, The cells form cords,  with fenestrated capillaries in-between

2 Cell types:

Chromophobes :  50% of the cells, do not stain  lie in groups, they are resting chromophils

granules have been used

Chromophils: Stain

They can be subdivided according to their reaction with different stains

Acidophils (40%) :Cells have acidophilic granules in their cytoplasm. The cells are secretory.

They have a well developed EPR and Golgi apparatus.They have secretory granules.

subdivided into:

- Somatotropin cells: secrete somatotropin (growth hormone)

- Mammotropic cells:  secrete prolactin

Basophils (10%) :  These cells have basophilic granules in their cytoplasm and can be subdivided into:

Thyrotropin cells:  secrete thyroid - stimulating hormone (TSH)

Corticotrophin cells:  secrete adrenocorticotropic (ACTH)

Gonadotropic cells:  secrete two hormones:  Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH):

Stimulate follicle development and spermatogenesis

Luteinizing hormone (LH): Stimulate the formation of the corpus luteum and Leydig cells

Pars Tuberalis:  Cells lie around the infundibulum . It is continuous with the pars distalis

Cells are cuboidal with no granules. Their function is unknown

Pars Intermedia:  Poorly developed in the human. Follicles lined by cuboidal cells and filled with colloid are found Known as Rathke's cysts .There are also a few big basophilic cells

Their function is unknown

Pars Nervosa: Contains: - myelinated axons  pituicytes,  blood vessels

Axons:

The cell bodies of the axons lie in the supra-optic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus .From the cell bodies the axons go through the infundibulum forming the  hypothalamohypophyseal tract to end in the pars nervosa

 The axons have dilated blind endings filled with hormones (Herring bodies) coming from the cell bodies.

Two hormones are secreted:

Oxytoxin: - Cause contraction of the uterus

    - Cause contraction of the myoepithelial cells of the milkgland

    - The hormone is secreted by the paraventricular nuclei

Vasopressin :- Cause reabsorption of H2O in the kidney (also known as antidiuretic hormone ADH)  The hormone is secreted by the supraoptic nuclei.  A hypophyseal portal system exists

A primary capillary plexus of fenestrated capillaries form around the median eminence. Inhibitory hormones are secreted into these capillaries

The capillaries rejoin to form the portal veins that traverse the pituitary stalk

The portal veins break up into a secondary capillary plexus which lies close to the cells of the adenohypophysis

This portal system regulates the functions of the anterior pituitary function.

Pineal

Surrounded by pia which sends septae into the gland Cells are mainly pinealocytes and astroglial cells

Pinealocytes:Irregular shaped cells. with processes ending in flattened dilatations

Have a well developed smooth surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, Also a rough EPR not well developed, Lots of microtubules

Astroglial Cells: Elongated nucleus, Cells have long processes, They perform a supporting function

Hormones:

Melatonin - secreted during the night .suppress the onset of puberty

Serotonin - secreted during the day

In humans the pineal form concretions of calcified material called brain sand

Brain sand vary in size and number with age and is visible on X-rays

Mast cells are also found in the pineal and cause the high histamine contend of the gland

THYROID

Has a CT capsule that sends septae into the gland to divide it up into incomplete lobes and lobules. In the lobules are follicles, Follicles vary in size,  They are surrounded by surrounded by reticular CT and capillaries

Cells of the Follicle:

Follicular Cells :  Single layer of cuboidal cells,  lie around the colloid, Follicular cells can become columnar when very active, Nucleus  central, EPR has wide cisternae ,Golgi present

• microvilli on the free surface

Parafollicular Cells:  Also known as C-cells, Form part of the epithelium or form clusters between the follicles

- They never come into contact with the colloid

- Larger and stain less intensely than the follicular cells, Form 2% of the cells, Secrete calcitonin

Hormones: Thyroxine and thyriodothyronine - stimulate the metabolic rate, Calcitonin - lower the blood calcium

Parathyroid:

Has a CT capsule which send septae into the gland to divide it up into incomplete lobules, The CT contains fat which increase with age - may eventually be 50% of the gland, Glandular cells are arranged in cords

Glandular Cells:

Chief Cells:  Small cells so their nuclei lie close together, Rich in glycogen, Biggest omponent

Secrete parathyroid hormone - essential for life

Oxyphil Cells:Develop at puberty, Bigger than the chief cells, Nuclei are smaller, Acidophilic

Hormones:

Parathyroid hormone - regulate calcium and phosphate ions in the blood

ADRENAL

- Thick CT capsule that do not send septae into the gland

Cortex:

Has 3 layers

Zona glomerulosa: 15% of the cortex, Directly under the capsule, Cells are columnar or pyramidal,  Arranged in small groups or clusters, Wide fenestrated capillaries surround the clusters, Cells have an extensive smooth EPR

Zona Fasciculata: 78% of the cortex, Cells are arranged in cords ,1 to 2 cells wide perpendicular to the surface, Sinusoids lie between the cords, Cells are polyhedral with a central nucleus which is bigger than that of the zona glomerulosa, Lots of lipid in the cytoplasm cause the cells to stain lightly,  Cells have a well developed smooth and rough EPR

The mitochondria in the cells are round with tubular or vesicular cristae

Zona Reticularis:  7% of the cortex, Cells form a network of cords with wide capillaries in-between The mitochondria in the cells are more ofte6n elongated than that in the zona fasciculate  Degenerating cells with pyknotic nuclei are found.  Cells contain numerous large lipofuscin granules. Cells of the cortex do not store their secretions but form and secrete on demand.

Hormones:

3 Groups:

Glucocorticoids (e.g. cortisol) - have an affection on carbohydrate metabolism

Mineralocorticoid (e.g. aldosterone) - control water and electrolyte balans

Androgens (e.g. dehyroepiandrosterone) - not very important

Medulla:

- Cells are big and oval and lie in groups and cords around bloodvessels

- Oxidising agents stain the granules in these cells brown - cells are therefore called chromaffin cells

- Granules contain adrenaline or non-adrernalin

- A few parasympathetic ganglion cells are also present

Hormones:

- Adrenaline - increase oxygen uptake

- increase blood pressure

- Noradrenaline - maintain blood pressure

Blood Supply:

- Blood vessel enter from the capsule to form the wide capillaries

- They flow into venules that form a central vein

- Between the endothelium of the capillaries and the glandular cells there is a subendothelial

- space.

- The glandular cells have microvilli protruding into this space.

ISLES OF LANGERHANS

Endocrine part of pancreas.  The isles are round clusters in the exocrine tissue

- 100 - 200 µm

Islands consists of slightly stained polygonal or rounded cells,  The cells are separated by fenestrated capillaries

- Autonomic nerve fibres innervate the blood vessels and the island cells

- 4 different cell types have been described

A cells : 20% of the cells,  Bigger than B cells, Lie at the periphery, Have secretory granules ,Contain glucagon

B cells :  80%,  Lie in the centre of the island,  The cells are small with granules which are crystals,  Granules are formed by insulin

D cells :  Not numerous, Membrane bound granules, Store somatostatin (inhibit somatotropin)

F cells :  Have membrane bound granules,  Store pancreatic polypeptide, The hormone inhibits pancreatic exocrine secretion

Nerves of the Palate

• The sensory nerves of the palate, which are branches of the pterygopalatine ganglion, are the greater and lesser palatine nerves.
• They accompany the arteries through the greater and lesser palatine foramina, respectively.

• The greater palatine nerve supplies the gingivae, mucous membrane, and glands of the hard palate.

• The lesser palatine nerve supplies the soft palate.

• Another branch of the pterygopalatine ganglion, the nasopalatine nerve, emerges from the incisive foramen and supplies the mucous membrane of the anterior part of the hard palate.

Vessels of the Palate

• The palate has a rich blood supply from branches of the maxillary artery.

Muscles of the Soft Palate

The Levator Veli Palatini (Levator Palati)

• Superior attachment: cartilage of the auditory tube and petrous part of temporal bone.
• Inferior attachment: palatine aponeurosis.
• Innervation: pharyngeal branch of vagus via pharyngeal plexus.

• This cylindrical muscle runs inferoanteriorly, spreading out in the soft palate, where it attaches to the superior surface of the palatine aponeurosis.

• It elevates the soft palate, drawing it superiorly and posteriorly.
• It also opens the auditory tube to equalise air pressure in the middle ear and pharynx.

The Tensor Veli Palatini (Tensor Palati)

• Superior attachment: scaphoid fossa of medial pterygoid plate, spine of sphenoid bone, and cartilage of auditory tube.
• Inferior attachment: palatine aponeurosis.
• Innervation: medial pterygoid nerve (a branch of the mandibular nerve).

• This thin, triangular muscle passes inferiorly, and hooks around the hamulus of the medial pterygoid plate.
• It then inserts into the palatine aponeurosis.

• This muscle tenses the soft palate by using the hamulus as a pulley.
• It also pulls the membranous portion of the auditory tube open to equalise air pressure of the middle ear and pharynx.

The Palatoglossus Muscle

• Superior attachment: palatine aponeurosis.
• Inferior attachment: side of tongue.
• Innervation: cranial part of accessory nerve (CN XI) through the pharyngeal branch of vagus (CN X) via the pharyngeal plexus.

• This muscle, covered by mucous membrane, forms the palatoglossal arch.

• The palatoglossus elevates the posterior part of the tongue and draws the soft palate inferiorly onto the tongue.

• Superior attachment: hard palatThe Palatopharyngeus Musclee and palatine aponeurosis.
• Inferior attachment: lateral wall of pharynx.
• Innervation: cranial part of accessory nerve (CN XI) through the pharyngeal branch of vagus (CN X) via the pharyngeal plexus.

• This thin, flat muscle is covered with mucous membrane to form the palatopharyngeal arch.
• It passes posteroinferiorly in this arch.

• This muscle tenses the soft palate and pulls the walls of the pharynx superiorly, anteriorly and medially during swallowing.

The Musculus Uvulae

• Superior attachment: posterior nasal spine and palatine aponeurosis.
• Inferior attachment: mucosa of uvula.
• Innervation: cranial part of accessory through the pharyngeal branch of vagus, via the pharyngeal plexus.

• It passes posteriorly on each side of the median plane and inserts into the mucosa of the uvula.
• When the muscle contracts, it shortens the uvula and pulls it superiorly.

Nerves of the Face

Innervation of the Muscles of Facial Expression

The Facial Nerve (CN VII)

• The seventh cranial nerve supplies the superficial muscle of the neck (platysma), the muscles of facial expression, the auricular muscles and the scalp muscles.
• CN VII is the sole motor supply to the muscles of facial expression.

• The facial nerve emerges from the skull though the stylomastoid foramen.
• Almost immediately, it enters the parotid gland. It runs superficially in this gland before giving rise to its five terminal branches: temporal, zygomatic, buccal, marginal mandibular, and cervical.
• These nerve emerge from the superior, anterior and inferior margins of the gland and spread out like the abducted digits of the hand to supply the muscles of facial expression.

• The temporal branches of CN VII cross the zygomatic arch to supply all the superficial facial muscles superior to it, including the orbital and forehead muscles.

• The zygomatic branch of CN VII passes transversely over the zygomatic bone to supply the muscles in the zygomatic, orbital and infraorbital regions.

• The buccal branches of CN VII pass horizontally, external to the masseter muscle, to supply the buccinator and the muscles of the upper lip.

• The marginal mandibular branch of CN VII supplies the muscles of the lower lip and chin.

• The cervical branch of CN VII supplies the platysma and the superficial muscles of the neck.