Common carotid artery 2591840 215266692 2008-05-27T13:12:35Z 128.240.229.3 /* Cervical part */ {{Infobox Artery | Name = Common carotid artery | Latin = a. carotis communis | GraySubject = 143 | GrayPage = 549 | Image = Gray506.svg | Caption = Schematic of the proximal [[aorta]] and its branches. | Image2 = Gray513.png | Caption2 = Arteries of the neck. The [[internal carotid artery|internal carotid arteries]] arise from the common carotid arteries - labeled ''Common caroti'' on the figure. | BranchFrom = [[aortic arch]], [[brachiocephalic artery]] | BranchTo = [[internal carotid artery]], [[external carotid artery]] | Vein = [[internal jugular vein]] | Precursor = [[Aortic arches|aortic arch]] 3 | Supplies = head and neck| MeshName = Carotid+Artery,+Common | MeshNumber = A07.231.114.186.200 | DorlandsPre = a_61 | DorlandsSuf = 12153659 | }} In [[human anatomy]], the '''common carotid artery''' is an [[artery]] that supplies the head and neck with [[oxygenated blood]]; it divides in the neck to form the [[external carotid artery|external]] and [[internal carotid artery|internal carotid arteries]]. ==Structure== The common carotid artery is a paired structure, meaning that there are two in the body, one for each half. The left and right common carotid arteries follow the same course with the exception of their origin. The right common carotid originates in the neck from the [[brachiocephalic trunk]]. The left arises from the [[aortic arch]] in the thoracic region. The left common carotid artery can be thought of as having two parts: a thoracic (chest) part and a cervical (neck) part. The right common carotid originates in or close to the neck, so it lacks a thoracic portion. ===Thoracic part=== Only the left common carotid artery has a substantial presence in the thoracic region. It originates along the [[aortic arch]], and travels upward through the superior [[mediastinum]] to the level of the left [[sternoclavicular joint]], where it is continuous with the cervical portion. ====Relations==== During the thoracic part of its course, the left common carotid artery is related to the following structures: In front, it is separated from the [[manubrium]] of the [[sternum]] by the [[sternohyoid]] and [[sternothyroid]] muscles, the anterior portions of the left [[pleura]] and [[lung]], the left [[brachiocephalic vein]], and the remains of the [[thymus]]; behind, it lies on the [[Vertebrate trachea|trachea]], [[esophagus]], left [[recurrent laryngeal nerve]], and [[thoracic duct]]. To its right side below is the [[brachiocephalic trunk]], and above, the trachea, the [[inferior thyroid vein]]s, and the remains of the thymus; to its left side are the left [[vagus]] and [[phrenic nerve]]s, left pleura, and lung. The left [[subclavian artery]] is posterior and slightly lateral to it. ===Cervical part=== The cervical portions of the common carotids resemble each other so closely that one description will apply to both. Each vessel passes obliquely upward, from behind the [[sternoclavicular joint]] to the level of the upper border of the [[thyroid cartilage]], where it divides. At the lower part of the neck the two common carotid arteries are separated from each other by a very narrow interval which contains the trachea; but at the upper part, the [[thyroid gland]], the [[larynx]] and [[pharynx]] project forward between the two vessels. The common carotid artery is contained in a sheath known as the [[carotid sheath]], which is derived from the [[deep cervical fascia]] and encloses also the [[internal jugular vein]] and [[vagus nerve]], the vein lying lateral to the artery, and the nerve between the artery and vein, on a plane posterior to both. On opening the sheath, each of these three structures is seen to have a separate fibrous investment. At approximately the level of the fourth [[vertebra|cervical vertebra]], the common carotid artery [[bifurcation|bifurcates]] into an [[internal carotid artery]] (ICA) and an [[external carotid artery]] (ECA). While both branches travel upward, the internal carotid takes a deeper (more internal) path, eventually travelling up into the skull to supply the brain via the carotid canal. The external carotid artery travels more closely to the surface, and sends off numerous branches that supply the neck and face. ====Relations==== At the lower part of the neck the common carotid artery is very deeply seated, being covered by the [[integument]], [[superficial fascia]], the [[platysma]] muscle, [[deep cervical fascia]], the [[sternocleidomastoid muscle]], the [[sternohyoid]], [[sternothyroid]], and the [[omohyoid]]; in the upper part of its course it is more superficial, being covered merely by the integument, the superficial fascia, the platysma, deep cervical fascia, and medial margin of the sternocleidomastoid. When the sternocleidomastoid muscle is drawn backward, the artery is seen to be contained in a triangular space known as the [[carotid triangle]]. This space is bounded behind by the [[sternocleidomastoid]], above by the [[stylohyoid]] and the posterior belly of the [[digastric muscle]], and below by the superior belly of the [[omohyoid]]. This part of the artery is crossed obliquely, from its medial to its lateral side, by the sternocleidomastoid branch of the [[superior thyroid artery]]; it is also crossed by the [[superior thyroid vein|superior]] and [[middle thyroid vein]]s (which end in the [[internal jugular vein]]); descending in front of its sheath is the descending branch of the [[hypoglossal nerve]], this filament being joined by one or two branches from the [[cervical nerves]], which cross the vessel obliquely. Sometimes the descending branch of the hypoglossal nerve is contained within the sheath. The [[superior thyroid vein]] crosses the artery near its termination, and the [[middle thyroid vein]] a little below the level of the [[cricoid cartilage]]; the [[anterior jugular vein]] crosses the artery just above the [[clavicle]], but is separated from it by the [[sternohyoid]] and [[sternothyroid]]. Behind, the artery is separated from the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae by the [[longus colli]] and [[longus capitis]] muscles, the [[sympathetic trunk]] being interposed between it and the muscles. The [[inferior thyroid artery]] crosses behind the lower part of the vessel. Medially, it is in relation with the esophagus, trachea, and [[thyroid gland]] (which overlaps it), the inferior thyroid artery and [[recurrent laryngeal nerve]] being interposed; higher up, with the larynx and pharynx. Lateral to the artery, inside the [[carotid sheath]] with the common carotid, are the [[internal jugular vein]] and [[vagus nerve]]. At the lower part of the neck, on the right side of the body, the right [[recurrent laryngeal nerve]] crosses obliquely behind the artery; the right [[internal jugular vein]] diverges from the artery. On the left side, however, the left internal jugular vein approaches and often overlaps the lower part of the artery. Behind the angle of bifurcation of the common carotid artery is a reddish-brown oval body known as the [[carotid body]]. It is similar in structure to the [[coccygeal body]] which is situated on the [[median sacral artery]]. The relations of the cervical region of the common carotid artery may be discussed in two points: #Internal relations of organs present inside the carotid sheath #two external relations of carotid sheath ==Collateral circulation== After ligature of the common carotid, the collateral circulation can be perfectly established, by the free communication which exists between the carotid arteries of opposite sides, both without and within the [[cranium]], and by enlargement of the branches of the subclavian artery on the side corresponding to that on which the vessel has been tied. The chief communications outside the skull take place between the superior and inferior thyroid arteries, and the [[deep cervical artery]] and the descending branch of the [[occipital artery]]; the [[vertebral artery]] takes the place of the [[internal carotid artery]] within the cranium.. ==Variation== ===Peculiarities as to origin=== The right common carotid may arise above the level of the upper border of the [[sternoclavicular joint]]; this variation occurs in about 12 percent of cases. In other cases the artery on the right side may arise as a separate branch from the arch of the aorta, or in conjunction with the left carotid. The left common carotid varies in its origin more than the right. In the majority of abnormal cases it arises with the [[brachiocephalic trunk]]; if that artery is absent, the two carotids arise usually by a single trunk. It is rarely joined with the left [[subclavian artery]], except in cases of transposition of the [[aortic arch]]. ===Peculiarities as to point of division=== In the majority of abnormal cases, the bifurcation occurs higher than usual, the artery dividing opposite or even above the [[hyoid bone]]; more rarely, it occurs below, opposite the middle of the larynx, or the lower border of the [[cricoid cartilage]]. In at least one reported case, the artery was only 4 cm in length and divided at the root of the neck. Very rarely, the common carotid artery ascends in the neck without any subdivision, either the external or the internal carotid being absent; and in a few cases the common carotid has itself been found to be absent, the external and internal carotids arising directly from the arch of the aorta. This peculiarity existed on both sides in some instances, on one side in others. ===Occasional branches=== The common carotid usually gives off no branch previous to its bifurcation, but it occasionally gives origin to the [[superior thyroid artery]] or its laryngeal branch, the [[ascending pharyngeal artery]], the [[inferior thyroid artery]], or, more rarely, the [[vertebral artery]]. ==Additional images== <gallery> Image:Gray384.png|Section of the neck at about the level of the sixth cervical vertebra. Image:Gray474.png|Diagram showing the origins of the main branches of the carotid arteries. Image:Gray505.png|The arch of the aorta, and its branches. Image:Gray507.png|Superficial dissection of the right side of the neck, showing the carotid and subclavian arteries. Image:Gray522.png|The internal mammary artery and its branches. Image:Gray560.png|The veins of the thyroid gland. Image:Gray562.png|The fascia and middle thyroid veins. Image:Gray794.png|Hypoglossal nerve, cervical plexus, and their branches. Image:Gray1031.png|Muscles of the pharynx, viewed from behind, together with the associated vessels and nerves. Image:Gray1032.png|The position and relation of the esophagus in the cervical region and in the posterior mediastinum. Seen from behind. Image:Gray1178.png|The thymus of a full-term fetus, exposed in situ. Image:Gray1210.png|Side of neck, showing chief surface markings. </gallery> ==Clinical significance== The common carotid artery is often used in measuring the [[pulse]], especially in patients who are in shock and who lack a detectable pulse in the more peripheral arteries of the body. ==See also== * [[Head and neck anatomy]] * [[Carotid sheath]] * [[Carotid sinus]] * [[Carotid body]] * [[Carotid Doppler machine]] ==External links== * {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|21|06|01}} {{Arteries of head and neck}} {{Arteries of chest}} [[Category:Arteries]] [[Category:Thorax]] [[Category:Head and neck]] [[de:Arteria carotis communis]] [[fr:Carotide]] [[it:Carotide]] [[la:Arteria carotis communis]] [[no:Arteria carotis communis]] [[nn:Arteria carotis communis]] [[pl:Tętnica szyjna wspólna]] [[pt:artéria carótida comum]] [[fi:Yhteinen päänvaltimo]]