Which arteries supply blood to the head and neck?

The carotid arteries are the primary vessels responsible for supplying blood to the head and neck. There are two main carotid arteries: the left and right carotid arteries, which branch off from the aorta in the thoracic region and ascend through the neck to provide oxygenated blood to the brain, face, and neck structures.

The significance of the carotid arteries lies in their bifurcation at the level of the upper neck, where each carotid artery divides into the internal and external carotid arteries. The internal carotid artery mainly supplies the brain, while the external carotid artery supplies blood to the face and neck. This specific distribution makes the carotid arteries crucial for maintaining proper cerebral and facial circulation.

Other arteries mentioned, such as the subclavian arteries, primarily supply blood to the upper limbs and part of the thorax, but they do not directly supply the head and neck region like the carotid arteries do. The coronary arteries cater to the heart muscle, and the femoral arteries provide blood to the lower limbs, which further illustrates the specialized roles of each arterial system in supplying blood to specific body regions.