Sternocleidomastoid branches of occipital artery

The two sternocleidomastoid branches of the occipital artery (sternocleidomastoid artery) arise directly from the occipital artery and are the initial two branches of this artery. Uncommonly, the lower sternocleidomastoid branch can branch directly from the external carotid.

Sternocleidomastoid branches of occipital artery
The arteries of the face and scalp.
Details
Source	Occipital artery
Identifiers
Latin	Rami sternocleidomastoidei arteriae occipitalis
TA	A12.2.05.033
FMA	49590
Anatomical terminology

The lower sternocleidomastoid branch passes inferio-external to the hypoglossal nerve before descending into the substance of the muscle to which its name is derived. The upper sternocleidomastoid branch diverts from the main trunk at the deep border of the proximal end of the posterior digastric muscle belly, coursing with the spinal accessory nerve prior to arborising into the sternocleidomastoid.