The Development of the Arteries and Veins of the Head and Neck

The development of the vascular system in the head and neck is not a rigid process, but rather, it is constantly changing and reflects the specific needs of the growing embryo. This review discussed the present understanding of how these vessels normally arise in the head and neck region, examined some of the variations in these vessels, and discussed how these vessels can be therapeutically used. This present review was highly illustrated to help the reader follow the text.

Learning Objectives: The reader will learn about the development of the arterial and venous systems in the head and neck, as well as some of the variations in the anatomy of these vessels and how they likely arise. This anatomy can be very important in interventional therapy.