Which of the following is a major branch of the external carotid artery (ECA)?

The superficial temporal artery is a major branch of the external carotid artery (ECA). The ECA supplies blood to the face and neck and gives off several branches, one of which is the superficial temporal artery. This artery supplies blood to various structures in the scalp and is often assessed in clinical practice for various reasons, including understanding vascular supply to the head.

In contrast, the basilar artery is a major vessel located at the base of the brain, formed by the fusion of the vertebral arteries, and does not branch from the external carotid artery. The internal jugular vein is a major vein responsible for draining blood from the brain, face, and neck, but it is not a branch of the ECA; rather, it is associated with venous drainage. Lastly, the coronary artery supplies blood to the heart itself and is completely unrelated to the external carotid artery or its branches. Thus, the superficial temporal artery is indeed the relevant major branch in this context.