Posterior auricular artery
The posterior auricular artery (latin:arteria auricularis posterior) is a small branch of the external carotid that supplies muscles in the neck and tympanic cavity.
The posterior auricular artery arises above the digastric and stylohyoid muscles, passes upwards between the parotid gland and the styloid process to the back of the auricular cartilage and divides into auricular and occipital branches.
On its course the posterior auricular artery gives off the stylomastoid artery that enters the stylomastoid foramen and supplies the facial nerve, tympanic cavity, and mastoid antrum cells.
The posterior auricular artery with its branches supplies the digastric, stylohyoid and sternocleidomastoid muscles, parotid gland, tympanic cavity, facial nerve, and mastoid antrum cells.