OUTLINE 1. GROSS ANATOMY 2. HISTOLOGY 3. ORAL HISTOLOGY 4.

DEVELOPMENTAL
BIOLOGY The anatomic sciences portion of the National Dental Boards tests the following: gross
anatomy, histology, and embryology. Gross anatomy encompasses a wide range of topics, including
bones, muscles, fasciae, nerves, circulation, spaces, and cavities. Details and diagrams will focus on
topics emphasized on the National Dental Boards. Since it is out of the scope of this book to cover every
detail, it is recommended that you refer to past class notes, anatomy texts and atlases, and old exams for a
more thorough understanding of the information discussed. Only a limited number of figures and
diagrams are included in this text. It will be helpful to refer to other anatomy texts and atlases for more
figures and diagrams. 1.0 GROSS ANATOMY 1.1 Head and Neck 1.1.1 Oral Cavity Vascular supply The
main blood supply to the head and neck is from the subclavian and common carotid arteries. The origins
of these arteries differ for the right and left sides. From the aorta, the brachiocephalic trunk branch off and
bifurcate into the right subclavian and right common carotid artery. The left common carotid artery and
left subclavian artery branch off separately from the arch of the aorta. A. Subclavian artery 1. Origin: the
right subclavian artery arises from the brachiocephalic trunk. The left subclavian artery arises directly
from the arch of the aorta. 2. Important divisions: a. Vertebral artery—supplies the brain (refer to Internal
Carotid section). b. Internal thoracic artery—descends to supply the diaphragm and terminates as the
superior epigastric artery, which helps supply the abdominal wall. c. Thyrocervical or cervicothyroid
trunk— divides into three arteries: the transverse cervical artery, suprascapular artery, and the inferior
thyroid artery. d. Costocervical trunk—divides into two branches: the superior intercostals and deep
cervical arteries, which supply muscles of intercostal spaces. e. Dorsal scapular artery—supplies the
muscles of the scapular region. B. Common carotid artery 1. Origin: the right common carotid branches
from the brachiocephalic trunk. The left common carotid branches from the arch of the aorta. 2. The
common carotid ascends within a fibrous sheath in the neck, known as the carotid sheath. This sheath also
contains the internal jugular vein and the vagus nerve. 1 2 ▼ Section 1 Anatomic Sciences 3. Major
branches: a. Both the right and left common carotid arteries bifurcate into the internal and external carotid
arteries. b. Note: the carotid sinus baroreceptors are located at this bifurcation. These baroreceptors help
monitor systemic blood pressure and are innervated by cranial nerve (CN) IX. C. Internal carotid artery 1.
Branches of the internal carotid artery, as well as the vertebral arteries, serve as the major blood supply
for the brain. 2. Origin: the internal carotid divides from the common carotid artery and continues in the
carotid sheath into the cranium. Unlike the external carotid artery, it has no branches in the neck. 3. Major
branches: a. Anterior and middle cerebral arteries: the internal carotid terminates into these two arteries.
These arteries will anastamose with the posterior and anterior communicating arteries to form the circle of
Willis. The circle of Willis also communicates with the vertebral arteries via the basilar and posterior
cerebral arteries (Figure 1–1). b. Pathology notes: berry aneurysms most commonly occur in the circle of
Willis, particularly in the anterior communicating and anterior cerebral arteries. Strokes often occur from
a diseased middle cerebral artery. c. Opthalamic artery—supplies the orbital area and lacrimal gland. D.
External carotid artery 1. Branches of the external carotid artery supply tissues in the head and neck,
including the oral cavity. 2. Origin: the external carotid artery branches from the common carotid artery.
3. Major branches (Figure 1–2): a. Superior thyroid artery (1) Origin: branches from the anterior side of
the external carotid artery, just above the carotid bifurcation. (2) Major branches: (a) Infrahyoid artery—
supplies the infrahyoid muscles. (b) Sternocleidomastoid artery— supplies the sternocleidomastoid
(SCM) muscle. (c) Superior laryngeal artery— pierces through the thyrohyoid membrane, with the
internal laryngeal nerve, as it travels to supply the muscles of the larynx. (d) Cricothyroid artery—
supplies the thyroid gland. b. Ascending pharyngeal artery (1) Origin: branches from the anterior side of
the external carotid artery, just above the superior thyroid artery. (2) Its branches supply the pharynx, soft
palate, and meninges. c. Lingual artery (1) Origin: branches from the anterior