The main arteries of the head and neck are derived from the pharyngeal arch arteries or aortic arches, which are six (I through VI) bilateral vascular structures, derived from mesoderm, that are part of the pharyngeal apparatus (Kathuria et al. 2011; Klostranec and Krings 2022). The second pharyngeal arch artery forms between 3 and 4 mm (24–28 days) (Menshawi et al. 2015) stage and is composed of a ventral and a dorsal portion (Kathuria et al. 2011). Close to the internal carotid artery origin, the ventral portion disconnects from the dorsal aorta and becomes the ventral pharyngeal artery (Kathuria et al. 2011). The ventral pharyngeal artery fuses with the internal carotid artery proximally to form the common carotid artery (Menshawi et al. 2015). The distal portion of the ventral pharyngeal artery develops into the external carotid artery (Kathuria et al. 2011; Klostranec and Krings 2022; Menshawi et al. 2015). Lasjaunias et al. (1978) hypothesized the origin of the occipital artery and its variants from “the remnants of the first two segmental arteries” (Lasjaunias et al. 1978; Vasović et al. 2009). The processes of vasculogenesis followed by angiogenesis are essential in this process (Klostranec and Krings 2022). Vasculogenesis is defined as “the differentiation of precursor cells (angioblasts) into endothelial cells and the novo formation of a primitive vascular network” (Vailhé et al. 2001). Angiogenesis consists of the growth of new vessels from others that already exist through two mechanisms, splitting (intussusception) and sprouting (Beets et al. 2013).