Occipital Branch of Posterior Auricular Artery (Right)

Origin

The occipital branch of the posterior auricular artery arises from the posterior auricular artery as it ascends in the groove between the mastoid process of the temporal bone and the cartilage of the ear.

Course

The occipital branch of the posterior auricular artery passes posteriorly over the sternocleidomastoid muscle to the scalp above and behind the ear.

Branches

There are no named branches, however, the occipital branch of the posterior auricular artery anastomosis with the occipital branches of the occipital artery (Gray & Lewis, 1918).

Supplied Structures

The occipital branch of the posterior auricular artery provides arterial supply to the occipitofrontalis and temporoparietalis muscles and the epicranial aponeurosis (collectively known as the epicranius muscle). Additionally, it may supply the upper portion of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (Netter, 2011).

References

Gray, H. & Lewis, W. H. (1918) Anatomy of the Human Body. Lea & Febiger.

Netter, F. H. (2011) Atlas of Human Anatomy. Saunders/Elsevier.