The lingual artery arises from the anterior aspect of the external carotid artery at the level of the greater horn of the hyoid bone.

It loops anteroinferiorly and passes, at first, to the posterior border of the hyoglossus (an extrinsic muscle of the tongue), then travels forward deep to it. Further, the lingual artery runs upwards and forwards on the inferior surface of the tongue between its muscles and continues as its terminal branch - the deep lingual artery - till the tip of the tongue.

On its course, the lingual artery gives off several side branches, including:

Dorsal lingual branches - these branches supply the dorsum of the tongue till the epiglottis;
Sublingual artery - supplies the sublingual gland;
Suprahyoid branch - travels along the superior border of the hyoid bone, supplying muscles attached to this bone (some of the infrahyoid muscles of the neck), and forming anastomosis with the suprahyoid branch of the opposite side.

To sum up, branches of the lingual artery provide blood supply to the tongue and the floor of the mouth, sublingual gland, as well as the infrahyoid muscles and other tissues in these areas.

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Lingual artery