karotidarteriene

Karotidarteriene are a pair of major blood vessels in the neck that supply blood to the head and brain. On each side, the common carotid artery travels upward and bifurcates at roughly the level of the upper border of the thyroid cartilage (about C4) into the internal carotid artery and the external carotid artery. The right common carotid arises from the brachiocephalic trunk, while the left arises directly from the aortic arch.

The internal carotid artery ascends without branches in the neck and enters the skull to supply the brain, notably via its terminal branches such as the ophthalmic, anterior cerebral, and middle cerebral arteries. The external carotid artery remains outside the skull and gives off several branches to the face, scalp, jaw, and neck (for example, superior thyroid, lingual, facial, maxillary, occipital, posterior auricular, and superficial temporal arteries).

Near the bifurcation, two small sensory structures are present: the carotid sinus, which contains baroreceptors that help regulate blood pressure, and the carotid body, which contains chemoreceptors that monitor blood chemistry.

Clinical significance includes carotid artery disease, typically due to atherosclerosis, which can cause stenosis and increase the risk of transient ischemic attack or ischemic stroke. Diagnosis often begins with duplex ultrasonography, followed by CT or MR angiography for detailed anatomy. Treatment focuses on risk-factor management (antiplatelet therapy, statins, blood pressure and lipid control) and may include carotid endarterectomy or carotid artery stenting in selected patients with significant stenosis or symptomatic disease. Understanding carotidarteriene is essential for evaluating neurovascular health and stroke risk.