Occipital branches of occipital artery: Difference between revisions

General Information
Latin	Rami occipitales arteriae occipitalis
Greek
TA98
TA2
FMA
Details
System
Artery
Vein
Nerve
Lymphatic drainage
Precursor
Function
Identifiers
Clinical significance
Notes

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Latest revision as of 17:01, 29 December 2024

Blood vessel

The occipital branches of the occipital artery are small arterial branches that arise from the occipital artery. These branches play a crucial role in supplying blood to the scalp and the occipital region of the head.

Anatomy[edit]

The occipital artery is a branch of the external carotid artery. It travels posteriorly, passing beneath the posterior belly of the digastric muscle and the mastoid process of the temporal bone. As it ascends, it gives off several branches, including the occipital branches.

The occipital branches specifically supply the posterior aspect of the scalp. They anastomose with branches of the posterior auricular artery and the superficial temporal artery, forming a network of vessels that ensure adequate blood supply to the scalp.

Function[edit]

The primary function of the occipital branches is to provide oxygenated blood to the tissues of the scalp in the occipital region. This is essential for maintaining the health and function of the scalp tissues.

Clinical significance[edit]

In certain medical procedures, such as scalp flap surgery or occipital nerve block, knowledge of the occipital branches is important to avoid excessive bleeding and to ensure proper blood supply is maintained.

References[edit]

Susan,

 Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice, 
 41st edition, 
 Elsevier, 
 2016, 
  
  
 ISBN 978-0-7020-5230-9,

External links[edit]

Occipital branches of occipital artery on WikiMD

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Infobox artery
-| Name = Occipital branches of occipital artery
+| Name        = Occipital branches of occipital artery
-| Latin = Rami occipitales arteriae occipitalis
+| Latin       = Rami occipitales arteriae occipitalis
-| Image = Occipital_artery.png
+| Image       = <!-- Image removed -->
-| Caption = Diagram showing the branches of the occipital artery
+| Caption     = <!-- Image caption -->
-| BranchFrom = [[Occipital artery]]
+| BranchFrom  = [[Occipital artery]]
-| Supplies = [[Scalp]], [[occipital bone]]
+| Supplies    = [[Scalp]], [[occipital region]]
 }}
-The '''occipital branches of the occipital artery''' are small arterial branches that arise from the [[occipital artery]], which is a branch of the [[external carotid artery]]. These branches play a crucial role in supplying blood to the posterior aspect of the scalp and the occipital region of the skull.
+The '''occipital branches of the occipital artery''' are small arterial branches that arise from the [[occipital artery]]. These branches play a crucial role in supplying blood to the [[scalp]] and the [[occipital region]] of the head.
 ==Anatomy==
-The occipital artery originates from the external carotid artery, opposite the facial artery, and ascends posteriorly towards the occipital region. As it travels, it gives off several branches, including the occipital branches, which are responsible for vascularizing the scalp and the occipital bone.
+The occipital artery is a branch of the [[external carotid artery]]. It travels posteriorly, passing beneath the [[posterior belly of the digastric muscle]] and the [[mastoid process]] of the [[temporal bone]]. As it ascends, it gives off several branches, including the occipital branches.
-===Course===
-The occipital branches emerge as the occipital artery travels posteriorly, passing beneath the [[sternocleidomastoid muscle]]. These branches then ascend to supply the posterior scalp, running superficially over the occipital bone.
-===Distribution===
+The occipital branches specifically supply the posterior aspect of the scalp. They anastomose with branches of the [[posterior auricular artery]] and the [[superficial temporal artery]], forming a network of vessels that ensure adequate blood supply to the scalp.
-The occipital branches primarily supply the skin and muscles of the posterior scalp. They also contribute to the vascularization of the occipital bone and anastomose with branches from the [[posterior auricular artery]] and the [[superficial temporal artery]].
 ==Function==
-The primary function of the occipital branches is to provide oxygenated blood to the scalp and the occipital region. This blood supply is essential for maintaining the health of the scalp tissues and supporting the metabolic needs of the occipital bone.
+The primary function of the occipital branches is to provide oxygenated blood to the tissues of the scalp in the occipital region. This is essential for maintaining the health and function of the scalp tissues.
-==Clinical Significance==
-The occipital branches of the occipital artery are often involved in surgical procedures and diagnostic imaging of the head and neck. They may be implicated in conditions such as scalp lacerations or occipital neuralgia, where the nerve supply in the region is affected, potentially causing pain.
-In some cases, the occipital artery and its branches may be used in reconstructive surgery, such as in the creation of flaps for scalp reconstruction.
+==Clinical significance==
+In certain medical procedures, such as [[scalp flap surgery]] or [[occipital nerve block]], knowledge of the occipital branches is important to avoid excessive bleeding and to ensure proper blood supply is maintained.
-==Also see==
+==See also==
 * [[Occipital artery]]
 * [[External carotid artery]]
 * [[Scalp]]
-* [[Occipital bone]]
 * [[Posterior auricular artery]]
-{{Arteries of the head and neck}}
+==References==
+* {{Cite book | last = Standring | first = Susan | title = Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice | edition = 41st | publisher = Elsevier | year = 2016 | isbn = 978-0-7020-5230-9 }}
+==External links==
+* [https://www.wikimd.com/wiki/Occipital_branches_of_occipital_artery Occipital branches of occipital artery on WikiMD]
 [[Category:Arteries of the head and neck]]
 [[Category:Anatomy]]