Posterior auricular artery

The posterior auricular artery is a small artery that arises from the external carotid artery, above the digastric muscle and stylohyoid muscle, opposite the apex of the styloid process.

Posterior auricular artery
The arteries of the face and scalp. (Posterior auricular visible slightly below ear.)
Superficial dissection of the right side of the neck, showing the carotid and subclavian arteries.
Details
Source	external carotid artery
Vein	posterior auricular vein
Supplies	scalp posterior to the auricle and to the auricle itself
Identifiers
Latin	arteria auricularis posterior
TA98	A12.2.05.037
TA2	4405
FMA	49624
Anatomical terminology

It ascends posteriorly beneath the parotid gland, along the styloid process of the temporal bone, between the cartilage of the ear and the mastoid process of the temporal bone along the lateral side of the head. The posterior auricular artery gives off the stylomastoid artery, small branches to the auricle, and supplies blood to the scalp posterior to the auricle. A person may be able to "hear" their own heart rate via this artery, under certain conditions.