Carotid Artery (Human Anatomy): Picture, Definition, Conditions, & More
Carotid Artery (Human Anatomy): Picture, Definition, Conditions, & More
The carotid arteries are major blood vessels in the neck that supply blood to the brain, neck, and face. There are two carotid arteries, one on the right and one on the left. In the neck, each carotid artery branches into two divisions:
Like all arteries, the carotid arteries are made of three layers of tissue:
The carotid sinus, or carotid bulb, is a widening of a carotid artery at its main branch point. The carotid sinus contains sensors that help regulate blood pressure. The carotid artery pulse can normally be felt in the neck by pressing the fingertips against the side of the windpipe, or trachea.
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Human Anatomy
Picture of the Carotid Artery
The carotid arteries are major blood vessels in the neck that supply blood to the brain, neck, and face. There are two carotid arteries, one on the right and one on the left. In the neck, 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.
Like all arteries, the carotid arteries are made of three layers of tissue:
- Intima, the smooth innermost layer
- Media, the muscular middle layer
- Adventitia, the outer layer
The carotid sinus, or carotid bulb, is a widening of a carotid artery at its main branch point. The carotid sinus contains sensors that help regulate blood pressure. The carotid artery pulse can normally be felt in the neck by pressing the fingertips against the side of the windpipe, or trachea.
Carotid Artery Conditions
- Carotid artery vasculitis: Inflammation of the carotid artery, due to an autoimmune condition or an infection.
- Stroke: A sudden blood clot in the carotid artery can interrupt blood flow to the brain, causing a stroke. Fragments of cholesterol plaque in the carotid artery may also travel into the brain to cause a stroke.
- Carotid artery stenosis: Narrowing of the carotid artery, usually due to cholesterol plaque buildup, or atherosclerosis. Carotid artery stenosis does not usually cause symptoms until it becomes severe.
- 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 embolism: A fragment of cholesterol plaque, or embolus, may break off from the carotid artery wall and travel to the brain, causing a stroke.
- Carotid artery atherosclerosis: Cholesterol plaque may slowly build up in the carotid artery wall, over decades. The growing plaque may eventually narrow the carotid artery, known as stenosis, and can lead to a stroke.
- Amaurosis fugax: Temporary blindness in one eye, usually caused by a fragment of cholesterol plaque, or embolus, breaking off from the wall of the carotid artery. The embolus can get stuck in an artery supplying the eye, blocking blood flow.
- Temporal arteritis: An autoimmune condition in which branches of the carotid artery become inflamed, known as vasculitis. Fever, a severe headache on one side of the head, and jaw pain when chewing can be symptoms.
- Carotid hypersensitivity syndrome: In a few people, applying pressure to the carotid sinus can cause fainting from a sudden drop in blood pressure. Symptoms may occur while shaving or wearing a tight shirt collar.
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