Common Carotid Artery: Difference between revisions

No edit summary
No edit summary
Line 26: Line 26:
It mainly gives supply to the head and neck.  
It mainly gives supply to the head and neck.  


= Clinical relevance: =
= Clinical relevance: =


<u>Carotid stenosis</u>:
<u>Carotid stenosis</u>:  


It is a narrowing of the carotid arteries caused by a buildup plaque (atherosclerosis) inside the artery wall that reduces blood flow to the brain which my cause a stroke.
It is a narrowing of the carotid arteries caused by a buildup plaque (atherosclerosis) inside the artery wall that reduces blood flow to the brain which my cause a stroke.  


Plaque is a sticky substance made of fat, cholesterol, calcium and other fibrous material.&nbsp;<ref>Carotid stenosis, https://www.mayfieldclinic.com/PE-CarotidStenosis.htm (accessed 1 June 2017)</ref>
Plaque is a sticky substance made of fat, cholesterol, calcium and other fibrous material.&nbsp;<ref>Carotid stenosis, https://www.mayfieldclinic.com/PE-CarotidStenosis.htm (accessed 1 June 2017)</ref>&nbsp;
 
<u>Carotid artery aneurysm</u>:
 
A weak area of the carotid artery allows part of the artery to bulge out like a balloon with each heartbeat. Aneurysms pose a risk for breaking, which could result in stroke or severe bleeding, or hemorrhage.
 
<u>Carotid artery vasculitis</u>:
 
Inflammation of the carotid artery, due to an autoimmune condition or an infection.
 
<br>


= References:  =
= References:  =


<references />
<references />

Revision as of 22:07, 1 June 2017

The original Editor -  Asma Alshehri 

Description:
[edit | edit source]

It's a large elastic artery which provides the main blood supply to the head and neck. There is one common carotid artery on either sides of the body (Right and Left carotid arteries).[1] 

Common carotid 143812.png

Although the right and left carotid arteries follow the same course through the neck, their origins are differ where the left common carotid arises directly from the aortic arch whereas on the right, the origin is from the brachiocephalic trunk.[2]

Course:[edit | edit source]

Posterior to sternoclavicular joint and lateral to thyroid and trachea. [2]  

Course1 143841.png

Branches and divisions:[edit | edit source]

Each carotid artery branches into two divisions:

  • The internal carotid artery supplies blood to the brain 
  • The external carotid artery supplies blood to the face and neck.[3]

Note:

(The left common carotid artery can be thought of as having two distinct parts: thoracic and cervical while the right common carotid artery has only a cervical portion since it arises cranially)[2]

Supply:[edit | edit source]

It mainly gives supply to the head and neck.

Clinical relevance:[edit | edit source]

Carotid stenosis:

It is a narrowing of the carotid arteries caused by a buildup plaque (atherosclerosis) inside the artery wall that reduces blood flow to the brain which my cause a stroke.

Plaque is a sticky substance made of fat, cholesterol, calcium and other fibrous material. [4] 

Carotid artery aneurysm:

A weak area of the carotid artery allows part of the artery to bulge out like a balloon with each heartbeat. Aneurysms pose a risk for breaking, which could result in stroke or severe bleeding, or hemorrhage.

Carotid artery vasculitis:

Inflammation of the carotid artery, due to an autoimmune condition or an infection.


References:[edit | edit source]

  1. Common carotid artery, https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/common-carotid-artery (accessed 29 may 2017)
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Common carotid artery, https://radiopaedia.org/articles/common-carotid-artery-2 (accessed 30 may 2017)
  3. Picture of the carotid artery, http://www.webmd.com/heart/picture-of-the-carotid-artery#1 (accessed 31 may 2017)
  4. Carotid stenosis, https://www.mayfieldclinic.com/PE-CarotidStenosis.htm (accessed 1 June 2017)