Auricular Branch of Occipital Artery (Left)
Ramus auricularis arteriae occipitalis
Read moreQuick Facts
Origin: Occipital artery.
Course: Traverses the scalp laterally towards the ear.
Branches: None.
Supplied Structures: Medial aspect of pinna of the ear.
Origin
The auricular branch of the occipital artery is an inconstant branch arising from the occipital artery (Dorland, 2011). As the occipital artery ascends tortuously in dense superficial fascia of the scalp, between the skin and occipital belly of occipitofrontalis muscle, it gives off the auricular branch of the occipital artery.
Course
The auricular branch of the occipital artery courses laterally within the superficial fascia of the scalp towards the posterior aspect of the ear.
Branches
There are no named branches, however, the auricular branch of the occipital artery anastomosis with the posterior auricular artery behind the ear.
Supplied Structures
The auricular branch of the occipital artery provides arterial supply to the auricle (pinna) of the ear (Dorland, 2011).
References
Dorland, W. (2011) Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary. 32nd edn. Philadelphia, USA: Elsevier Saunders.
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Artery
Arteries are vessels transporting blood between heart, tissues, and other organs in order to supply them with nutrition and oxygen.
