Descending branch of occipital artery

The descending branch of occipital artery, the largest branch of the occipital, descends on the back of the neck, and divides into a superficial and deep portion.

Descending branch of occipital artery
Superficial dissection of the right side of the neck, showing the carotid and subclavian arteries.
Details
Sourceoccipital artery
Identifiers
Latinramus descendens arteriae occipitalis
TA98A12.2.05.036
TA24404
FMA49608
Anatomical terminology

The anastomosis between these vessels assists in establishing the collateral circulation after ligature of the common carotid or subclavian artery.

References

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  This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 556 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)