Anatomy of the Common Carotid Artery

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Questions and Answers

What is the origin of the right common carotid artery?

  • The brachiocephalic trunk (correct)
  • The internal jugular vein
  • The vagus nerve
  • The aortic arch

What is the function of the internal carotid artery?

  • Supplies blood to the brain (correct)
  • Supplies blood to the face and scalp
  • Supplies blood to the arms and hands
  • Supplies blood to the neck and thorax

What is located within the carotid sheath?

  • The trachea and esophagus
  • The external carotid artery and the thyroid gland
  • The common carotid artery and the brachiocephalic trunk
  • The internal jugular vein and the vagus nerve (correct)

At what level does the common carotid artery bifurcate into the internal and external carotid arteries?

<p>The level of the fourth cervical vertebra (C4) (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the trachea and esophagus and the common carotid arteries?

<p>The trachea and esophagus are medial to the CCAs (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the artery that supplies blood to the base of the skull?

<p>Occipital artery (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between the right and left common carotid arteries?

<p>Their origin (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the level of the fourth cervical vertebra (C4) in relation to the common carotid artery?

<p>It is the level where the CCA bifurcates into the internal and external carotid arteries (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the internal jugular vein and the common carotid artery?

<p>The internal jugular vein is lateral to the CCA (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the common characteristic of the branches of the external carotid artery?

<p>They supply blood to the face, scalp, neck, and the base of the skull (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the carotid sheath?

<p>To contain the common carotid artery and internal jugular vein (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the spatial relationship between the common carotid artery and the trachea and esophagus?

<p>The CCA is medial to the trachea and esophagus (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Origin of Right CCA

The right common carotid artery branches from the brachiocephalic trunk, which is a branch of the aortic arch.

Origin of Left CCA

The left common carotid artery directly branches from the aortic arch.

Course of CCA

The common carotid artery ascends vertically in the neck, within the carotid sheath, alongside the trachea and esophagus.

ICA function

The internal carotid artery supplies blood to the brain.

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ECA function

The external carotid artery supplies blood to the face, scalp, neck, & skull base.

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CCA Bifurcation

The common carotid artery divides into the internal and external carotid arteries, typically near the fourth cervical vertebra.

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Carotid Sheath

A fibrous connective tissue that the common carotid artery runs through in the neck.

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CCA Medial Relations

The trachea and esophagus lie medial to the common carotid arteries, especially lower in the neck.

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CCA Lateral Relation

The internal jugular vein is lateral to the common carotid artery.

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CCA Anterior Relation

The sternocleidomastoid muscle is anterior to the common carotid artery.

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CCA Posterior Relation

Prevertebral muscles and cervical vertebrae are posterior to the common carotid artery .

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CCA Bifurcation Level

The common carotid artery bifurcates at the level of the fourth cervical vertebra (C4), often near the upper border of the larynx's thyroid cartilage.

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Study Notes

Origin of the Common Carotid Artery

  • Right Common Carotid Artery arises from the brachiocephalic trunk, a major branch of the aortic arch
  • Left Common Carotid Artery arises directly from the aortic arch

Course of the Common Carotid Artery

  • Ascends vertically through the neck on either side
  • Located within the carotid sheath, a fibrous connective tissue
  • Runs alongside the trachea and esophagus

Branches of the Common Carotid Artery

  • Internal Carotid Artery (ICA): Supplies blood to the brain
  • External Carotid Artery (ECA): Supplies blood to the face, scalp, neck, and base of the skull
  • ECA branches:
    • Superior thyroid artery
    • Ascending pharyngeal artery
    • Lingual artery
    • Facial artery
    • Occipital artery
    • Posterior auricular artery
    • Maxillary artery
    • Superficial temporal artery

Bifurcation of the Common Carotid Artery

  • Bifurcates into the internal and external carotid arteries at the level of the fourth cervical vertebra (C4)
  • Typically near the upper border of the thyroid cartilage of the larynx

Relations of the Common Carotid Artery

Medial Relations

  • Trachea and esophagus are medial to the CCAs, especially in the lower neck

Lateral Relations

  • Internal jugular vein is lateral to the CCA

Anterior Relations

  • Sternocleidomastoid muscle covers the CCA in its course through the neck

Posterior Relations

  • Prevertebral muscles and cervical vertebrae lie posterior to the CCA

Origin of the Common Carotid Artery

  • Right Common Carotid Artery arises from the brachiocephalic trunk, a major branch of the aortic arch
  • Left Common Carotid Artery arises directly from the aortic arch

Course of the Common Carotid Artery

  • Ascends vertically through the neck on either side
  • Located within the carotid sheath, a fibrous connective tissue
  • Runs alongside the trachea and esophagus

Branches of the Common Carotid Artery

  • Internal Carotid Artery (ICA): Supplies blood to the brain
  • External Carotid Artery (ECA): Supplies blood to the face, scalp, neck, and base of the skull
  • ECA branches:
    • Superior thyroid artery
    • Ascending pharyngeal artery
    • Lingual artery
    • Facial artery
    • Occipital artery
    • Posterior auricular artery
    • Maxillary artery
    • Superficial temporal artery

Bifurcation of the Common Carotid Artery

  • Bifurcates into the internal and external carotid arteries at the level of the fourth cervical vertebra (C4)
  • Typically near the upper border of the thyroid cartilage of the larynx

Relations of the Common Carotid Artery

Medial Relations

  • Trachea and esophagus are medial to the CCAs, especially in the lower neck

Lateral Relations

  • Internal jugular vein is lateral to the CCA

Anterior Relations

  • Sternocleidomastoid muscle covers the CCA in its course through the neck

Posterior Relations

  • Prevertebral muscles and cervical vertebrae lie posterior to the CCA

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