Internal Carotid Artery

Description:[edit | edit source]

It is terminal branch of the common carotid artery, it is larger than the other terminal branch (the external carotid artery).

Segments:[edit | edit source]

There are seven segments according to Bouthillier classification; 

  1. C1/ Cervical segment 
  2. C2/ Petros  (horizontal) segment 
  3. C3/ Lacerum segment 
  4. C4/ Cavernous segment
  5. C5/ Clinoid segment 
  6. C6/ Ophthalmic (Supra clinoid) segment
  7. C7/ Communicating segment 

Branches:[edit | edit source]

The odd numbered segments usually have no branches except for the terminal segment C7 while it has four branches, whereas each even numbered segment (C2, C4 and C6) has two branches: 

Segment  branches 
C1 non
C2

1.caroticitympanic artery

2.vidian artery

C3 non
C4

1.Meningohypophyseal trunk 

2. Inferiolateral trunk

C5 non
C6

1. Ophthalmic artery 

2. Superior hypophyseal artery

C7

1. Posterior communicating artery

2. Anterior chorodal artery 

3. Anterior cerebral artery 

4. Middle cerebral artery 


Clinical relevance:[edit | edit source]

References:[edit | edit source]