[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Head and neck](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/head-and-neck/) › Lingual artery [Cardiovascular system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/cardiovascular-system/) · [Head and neck](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/head-and-neck/) # Lingual artery The lingual artery, a branch of the external carotid, is the main blood supply of the tongue and the floor of the mouth. [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=head_neck&select=lingual_artery&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is An external carotid branch to the tongue. ## What it does Feeds the tongue and the floor of the mouth. ## Key points - It runs deep to the hyoglossus, while the lingual nerve, the submandibular duct and the hypoglossal nerve cross the muscle's outer surface - Its end branch, the deep lingual artery, runs forward under the tongue beside the frenulum to the tip, deep to the visible deep lingual veins - Few vessels cross the tongue's midline septum, so a midline incision bleeds less than a cut through the side of the tongue ## Key facts **Origin** External carotid at the greater horn of the hyoid **Branches** Suprahyoid, dorsal lingual, sublingual, deep lingual **Supplies** Tongue, floor of the mouth ## Relations **Course** Leaves the front of the external carotid opposite the tip of the greater horn of the hyoid, often loops upward (crossed by the [hypoglossal nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/hypoglossal-nerve/)), runs forward above the greater horn deep to the [hyoglossus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/hyoglossus-muscle/), then turns up and forward under the [tongue](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tongue/) as the deep lingual artery to the tip **Superficial** Hyoglossus, which separates it from the hypoglossal nerve, the [lingual nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lingual-nerve/) and the submandibular duct **Deep** Middle constrictor of the [pharynx](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/pharynx/), then the [genioglossus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/genioglossus-muscle/) ## How to find it It cannot be felt. Under the tongue the bluish deep lingual veins show on each side of the frenulum, with the artery deeper. In surgery it is found by opening the hyoglossus just above the greater horn of the [hyoid bone](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/hyoid-bone/), below the hypoglossal nerve. ## On imaging Colour Doppler or CT angiography shows it as the second front branch of the external carotid, looping up at the greater horn of the hyoid before running deep to the hyoglossus. CT angiography, or catheter angiography for embolisation, is used for tongue bleeding. In tongue cancer, MRI shows how close the tumour comes to the lingual neurovascular bundle. ## Clinical notes - Heavy bleeding from the tongue (trauma, tumour, surgery of the tongue base) can be controlled by ligation or embolisation of this artery - Drilling through the inner cortex of the [mandible](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/mandible/) for a dental implant can tear the sublingual artery; the floor-of-mouth haematoma pushes the tongue up and can block the airway - Resection at the base of the tongue, including transoral robotic surgery, identifies and clips the lingual artery and its dorsal branches beforehand, because bleeding there after surgery can threaten the airway - Classic ligation site: Pirogov's triangle above the hyoid (hypoglossal nerve above, intermediate tendon of the [digastric](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/anterior-belly-of-digastric-muscle/) below, free border of the [mylohyoid](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/mylohyoid-muscle/) in front); the hyoglossus forming its floor is split to reach the artery ## Anatomical variants - It commonly arises with the [facial artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/facial-artery/) as a linguofacial trunk, less often with the [superior thyroid artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superior-thyroid-artery/) as a thyrolingual trunk ## Memory aid Hyoglossus rule: the nerves and the duct cross it on the outside; the lingual artery hides underneath. ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Which muscle separates the lingual artery from the hypoglossal nerve, lingual nerve and submandibular duct? The hyoglossus: the artery runs deep to it, the nerves and duct cross its outer surface. ## Why does a midline incision of the tongue bleed less than a cut through its side? Few branches of the lingual artery cross the tongue's midline septum. ## Why can a dental implant drilled through the inner mandible threaten the airway? It can tear the sublingual artery; the floor-of-mouth haematoma pushes the tongue up and can block the airway. [Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/lingual-artery/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** arteria lingualis TA2 4383 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Arteria lingual **English (TA2)** Lingual artery ## Related - [Tongue](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tongue/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [Anatomy, Head and Neck, Lingual Artery](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554513/); Tratado de anatomía humana (9.ª ed.), tomo II, Libro IV, sección 2 Arterias, caps. I-III (sistema de la arteria pulmonar; aorta y ramas del cayado hasta la carótida interna). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lingual-artery/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lingual-artery/