Scalp - Blood Supply

Blood Supply

The blood supply of the scalp is via five pairs of arteries, three from the external carotid and two from the internal carotid:

• internal carotid
  • the supratrochlear artery to the midline forehead. The supratrochlear artery is a branch of the ophthalmic branch of the internal carotid artery.
  • the supraorbital artery to the lateral forehead and scalp as far up as the vertex. The supraorbital artery is a branch of the ophthalmic branch of the internal carotid artery.
• external carotid
  • the superficial temporal artery gives off frontal and parietal branches to supply much of the scalp
  • the occipital artery which runs posteriorly to supply much of the posterior aspect of the scalp
  • the posterior auricular artery, a branch of the external carotid artery, ascends behind the auricle to supply the scalp above and behind the auricle.

Note: The walls of the blood vessels are firmly attached to the fibrous tissue of the superficial fascial layer, hence cut ends of vessels here do not readily retract; Even a small scalp wound may bleed profusely.