1. Anatomy:
– The common carotid artery is a large elastic vessel that supplies blood to the head and neck.
– There is one on each side of the body.
– The left common carotid artery arises from the aortic arch, while the right one arises from the brachiocephalic trunk.
– It ascends lateral to the trachea and esophagus within the carotid sheath, alongside the internal jugular vein and vagus nerve.
2. Branches:
The common carotid artery gives rise to two main branches:
– External carotid artery: Supplies structures in the head and neck (e.g., forehead, nose, eyes).
– Internal carotid artery: Supplies the ipsilateral cerebral hemisphere and plays a crucial role in brain circulation.
3. Clinical Pathology:
Carotid artery disease can lead to narrowing (stenosis) or blockage.
Symptoms may include:
– Sudden numbness or weakness in the face or limbs (often one-sided).
– Trouble speaking or understanding speech.
– Vision problems.
– Dizziness or loss of balance.
– Severe headache with no known cause.
References:
(1) Common carotid artery: Anatomy | Kenhub. https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/common-carotid-artery.
(2) Carotid artery disease – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/carotid-artery-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20360519.
(3) Carotid artery: Anatomy, function, disease, and more – Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/carotid-artery.
(4) Carotid Artery Disease: Symptoms and Causes | Penn Medicine. https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/patient-information/conditions-treated-a-to-z/carotid-artery-disease.
(5) Carotid Arterial System: Anatomy | Concise Medical Knowledge – Lecturio. https://www.lecturio.com/concepts/carotid-arterial-system/.
(6) en.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_carotid_artery.
Verified by Dr. Petya Stefanova
