Sisäkaulavaltimoiden

Sisäkaulavaltimoiden, known in English as the internal carotid arteries, are major blood vessels in the neck that supply oxygenated blood to the brain and other parts of the head. They originate from the common carotid arteries, which bifurcate (split) into the internal and external carotid arteries at the level of the thyroid cartilage. The internal carotid artery then ascends through the carotid canal in the temporal bone of the skull.

Unlike the external carotid artery, which primarily supplies blood to the face, scalp, and neck, the internal carotid artery has no significant branches in the neck. Its main function is to perfuse the anterior and middle parts of the brain, as well as the eyes and forehead. It enters the cranial cavity through the carotid canal and then branches into several key arteries, including the anterior cerebral artery and the middle cerebral artery, which are crucial for neurological function.

Blockage or narrowing of the internal carotid arteries, often due to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), can significantly increase the risk of stroke. This is because the reduced blood flow to the brain can lead to brain tissue damage. Medical conditions affecting these arteries require careful monitoring and management to prevent serious neurological consequences.