karotid

Karotid is a variant spelling of carotid, referring to the carotid arteries, the major vessels in the neck that supply blood to the brain, face, and neck. There are two common carotid arteries, one on each side of the neck. The left common carotid typically arises directly from the aortic arch, while the right common carotid arises from the brachiocephalic trunk. Each common carotid ascends within the carotid sheath and usually divides into its two terminal branches, the internal carotid and external carotid arteries, around the upper level of the thyroid cartilage (about the C3–C4 level).

The internal carotid artery continues into the skull and supplies the brain, while the external carotid artery gives rise to branches that perfuse the face, scalp, and neck. The carotid bifurcation region also contains the carotid sinus and carotid body, which house baroreceptors and chemoreceptors involved in blood pressure and blood gas regulation.

Clinical relevance includes carotid artery disease, typically caused by atherosclerosis, which can lead to reduced cerebral blood flow and ischemic stroke. Management may involve lifestyle changes, antiplatelet therapy, cholesterol-lowering treatment, and, in selected cases, procedures such as carotid endarterectomy or carotid artery stenting. Diagnostic methods include carotid duplex ultrasonography, CT angiography, and MR angiography.

Other conditions affecting the karotid system can include carotid dissection or aneurysm, though these are less common. The term is most often encountered in medical and anatomical contexts, where it denotes these essential neck vessels.