External carotid nerves

External carotid nerves are branches of the upper pole of superior cervical ganglion that contribute to a neuronal plexus encapsulating the external carotid artery. These branches include:

• Inferior branch of superior cervical ganglion,

• Anterior communicating branch of superior cervical ganglion

• Interior communicating branch of the superior cervical ganglion to the superior laryngeal nerve

The external carotid nerves contain post-ganglionic sympathetic fibers which are derived from the superior cervical ganglion. They are distributed to the mid and lower face region as the plexus largely continues onto the branches of external carotid artery, forming sub-plexuses, such as the superior thyroid plexus, lingual plexus, occipital arterial and ascending pharyngeal arterial plexuses, facial artery plexus, external and internal maxillary plexuses.