external carotid plexus

external carotid plexus

n.

An autonomic plexus that is formed by the external carotid nerves, surrounds the external carotid artery, and gives origin to a number of secondary plexuses along the branches of the external carotid artery.

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external carotid plexus,

a network of nerves around the external carotid artery, formed by the external carotid nerves from the superior cervical ganglion. It supplies sympathetic fibers associated with branches of the external carotid artery. Compare common carotid plexus, internal carotid plexus.