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. Cervical segment 
  2. Petros  (horizontal) segment 
  3. Lacerum segment 
  4. Cavernous segment
  5. Clinoid segment 
  6. Ophthalmic (Supra clinoid) segment
  7. Communicating segment 

= Branches: = The odd numbered segments usually have no branches except for the terminal segment C7 while it has four branches, whereas each even numbered segments (C2, C4 and C6) have two branches:  {| width="400" border="1" align="left" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" |- ! scope="col" | Segment ! scope="col" | branches            |- | C1  | non  |- | C2 | 1.Caroticotympanic 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]