Kaelaarteri

Kaelaarteri is the Finnish medical term for the arteries in the neck that supply blood to the head and brain. In common clinical use it refers to the carotid arterial system, including the left and right common carotid arteries and their principal branches, and it may also encompass the vertebral arteries that contribute to the brain’s blood supply.

The common carotid arteries rise on each side of the neck and typically divide into the internal carotid artery, which mainly supplies the brain, and the external carotid artery, which supplies the face and scalp. The carotid bifurcation and surrounding structures are often examined to assess the carotid pulse; narrowing or blockage (stenosis) can reduce cerebral blood flow and increase stroke risk.

The vertebral arteries originate from the subclavian arteries and ascend through the transverse foramina of the cervical vertebrae. They enter the skull via the foramen magnum and join to form the basilar artery, contributing to the brain’s posterior circulation.

Pathological changes affecting kaelaarteri include atherosclerotic plaque formation, dissection, aneurysm, and occlusion. Diagnosis commonly involves duplex ultrasound and cross-sectional imaging such as CT or MR angiography. Treatment focuses on risk reduction and, in selected cases of significant stenosis or other pathology, surgical or endovascular interventions such as carotid endarterectomy or stenting.

In Finnish-language medical literature, kaelaarteri terminology is used to discuss the neck arteries and their role in cerebrovascular health, with related terms including carotid artery and vertebral artery.