Synonyms
Carotid, carotid, carotid, carotid artery Latin: Arteria carotis communis.
Definition
The carotid artery runs in pairs and supplies large parts of the head and neck with oxygen-rich blood. On the right, it originates from the brachiocephalic trunk, on the left directly from the aortic arch.
Course of the carotid artery
The course of the carotid artery can be divided into three sections based on its subdivisions: 1st Arteria carotis communis: The carotid artery runs through the neck area without branching. At the side of the trachea, it enters the so-called Trigonum caroticum, the carotid triangle. This is an anatomical area of the neck region that contains many vessels and nerves.
The pulse of the carotid artery can also be felt here. The carotid artery is divided into the internal carotid artery and the external carotid artery at the level of the upper thyroid cartilage of the larynx. The lumen of the artery is often widened there to the carotid sinus.
Under certain circumstances, a blow on this can lead to a knock-out. During its course, the A. carotis communis lies together with the vena jugularis interna and the nervus vagus in a connective tissue sheath, the vagina carotica. This is covered by the sternocleidomastoid muscle.
- Common carotid artery
- Internal carotid artery
- External carotid artery
2nd Arteria carotis interna: DefinitionThe arteria carotis interna emerges as the posterior branch of the carotid artery in the trigonum caroticum. Together with its branches, it supplies the eye, the entire frontal and parietal lobe, the largest part of the temporal lobe and interbrain as well as the pituitary gland. CourseWithout branch discharge, the internal carotid artery runs to the base of the skull, where it enters the cranial cavity through the carotid canal in the petrous bone.
There it first enters the sinus cavernosus, a larger venous cavity in the dura mater (outer meninges). After an S-shaped loop (carotid siphon), it reaches the middle cranial fossa. After leaving the sinus, it finally splits into its two end branches in the subarachnoid space.
Classification Pars cervicalis: Beginning to base of skullPars petrosa: Course through the base of the skullPars cavernosa: Course through the sinus cavernosusPars cerebralis: After exiting the sinus to the division Branches Arteria ophthalmica: Supply to the eye and parts of the paranasal sinusArteria communicans posterior: Part of the Circulus arteriosus, connects the posterior and anterior cerebral circulation End branches A. cerebri anterior: anterior cerebral artery, supplies the anterior brain and the mantle edgeA. cerebri media: middle cerebral artery, supplies outside of the cerebral hemisphere 3. external carotid artery: DefinitionThe external carotid artery is the front branch of the common carotid artery. It supplies the soft parts of the head and neck as well as parts of the bony skull and meninges.
CourseThe head aorta first makes its way to the retromandibular fossa and pierces the parotid gland (Glandula parotidea). At the level of the collum mandibulae it already splits into its end branches. BranchesFor the branches of the external carotid artery, a distinction is made between an anterior, middle and posterior group and the two end branches.
anterior group: middle group: posterior group: end branches:
- A. thyroidea superior: supply of the upper thyroid gland
- A. lingualis: supply of the tongue
- A.
facialis (“facial artery”): supply of the face, its pulse is to be palpated on the edge of the lower jaw in front of the musculus masseter
- A. pharyngea ascendens
- A. occipitalis ( occipital artery )
- A.
auricularis posterior: among other things supply of auricle and tympanic cavity
- A. maxillaris (“maxillary artery”): delivers the A. meningea media to supply the dura mater and the bony skull of the middle cranial fossa
- A. temporalis superficialis: superficial temporal artery, pulse can be felt at the temple
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