Final answer:
The artery assessed under the chin on the neck is the external carotid artery, which arises from the common carotid artery and supplies blood to facial structures and the neck.
Step-by-step explanation:
The artery being assessed under the chin on the neck is the external carotid artery. The external carotid artery is a major artery that arises from the common carotid artery. It plays a crucial role in supplying blood to numerous structures within the face, lower jaw, neck, esophagus, and larynx. Additionally, the figure referred to, Figure 20.26, details the arteries supplying the head and neck, where the common carotid artery bifurcates into both the internal and external carotid arteries. The internal carotid artery proceeds to supply blood to the brain, while the external carotid remains superficial and supplies various areas of the head and neck.
Other major arteries in the area referenced include the subclavian artery, from which the vertebral artery arises. The vertebral artery supplies blood to the cervical region and the brain. Understanding the function and location of these arteries is fundamental, as they are vitally important for delivering oxygen-rich blood to the brain; without oxygen, the brain cannot survive for more than a few minutes.