carotid artery

Examples of carotid artery in the following topics:

• Carotid Sinus Syncope and Massage

  • The carotid sinus is a dilation of the internal carotid artery at its origin, where the homeostatic controls of blood pressure are located.
  • The carotid sinus is a localized dilation of the internal carotid artery at its origin, the common carotid artery .
  • Massage of the carotid sinus, or carotid sinus massage, is used to diagnose carotid sinus syncope.
  • The carotid sinus can also be oversensitive to carotid sinus massage.
  • Carotid sinus syncope sometimes accompanies convulsive seizures because of the intensity of the carotid sinus reflex when pressure builds in one or both carotid sinuses.

• Arch of the Aorta

  • Three vessels come out of the aortic arch: the brachiocephalic artery, the left common carotid artery, and the left subclavian artery.
  • In approximately 20% of individuals, the left common carotid artery arises from the brachiocephalic artery rather than the aortic arch, and in approximately 7% of individuals the left subclavian artery also arises here.

• The Aorta and Its Branches

  • The aorta is the largest artery in the systemic circulatory system.
  • The aorta is an elastic artery, meaning it is able to distend.
  • The ascending aorta has two small branches, the left and right coronary arteries.
  • The arch of the aorta has three branches: the brachiocephalic artery, which itself divides into right common carotid artery and the right subclavian artery, the left common carotid artery, and the left subclavian artery.
  • These arteries provide blood to both arms and the head.

• Abducens (VI) Nerve

  • In the cavernous sinus it runs alongside the internal carotid artery.
  • For example, fractures of the petrous temporal bone can selectively damage the nerve, as can aneurysms of the intracavernous carotid artery.

• Short-Term Neural Control

  • Vascular baroreceptors are found primarily in sinuses (small cavities) within the aorta and carotid arteries.
  • The aortic sinuses are found in the walls of the ascending aorta just superior to the aortic valve, whereas the carotid sinuses are located in the base of the internal carotid arteries.

• Veins of the Head and Neck

  • Dural sinuses are composed of dural mater lined with endothelium, making them distinct from arteries, veins, and capillaries.
  • Formed at the base of the brain from the inferior petrosal sinus and the sigmoid sinus, the internal jugular vein runs down the side of the neck adjacent to the internal carotid artery.

• Development of the Cardiovascular System

  • The infraorbital and mandibular arise from a common stem, the terminal part of which anastomoses with the external carotid.
  • The third aortic arch constitutes the commencement of the internal carotid artery, and is named the carotid arch.
  • The fourth left arch constitutes the arch of the aorta between the origin of the left carotid artery and the termination of the ductus arteriosus.
  • Approximately 30 posterolateral branches arise off the aorta and will form the intercostal arteries, upper and lower extremity arteries, lumbar arteries, and the lateral sacral arteries.
  • After birth, the umbilical arteries will form the internal iliac arteries.

• Anastomoses

  • Circulatory anastomoses are named based on the vessels they join: two arteries (arterio-arterial anastomosis), two veins (veno-venous anastomosis), or between an artery and a vein (arterio-venous anastomosis).
  • Anastomoses between arteries and anastomoses between veins result in a multitude of arteries and veins serving the same volume of tissue.
  • Coronary artery anastomoses.
  • If one coronary artery is obstructed by an atheroma, a degradation of the arterial walls, the second artery is still able to supply oxygenated blood to the myocardium.
  • Blood flows up to the brain through the vertebral arteries and through the internal carotid arteries.

• Pulse

  • Pulse is a measurement of heart rate by touching and counting beats at several body locations, typically at the wrist radial artery.
  • The pulse is the physical expansion of an artery generated by the increase in pressure associated with systole of the heart.
  • Pulse rate or velocity is usually measured either at the wrist from the radial artery and is recorded as beats per minute (bpm).
  • Other common measurement locations include the carotid artery in the neck and popliteal artery behind the knee
  • Measurement of the pulse can occur at several locations, including the radial artery shown here.

• Great Vessels of the Heart

  • The aorta is the largest of the arteries in systemic circulation.
  • It breaks off into the aortic sinuses, some of which form the coronary arteries.
  • The arch of aorta is the peak of the aorta, which breaks off into the left carotid artery, brachiocephalic trunk, and the left subclavian artery.
  • The abdominal aorta is the part of the descending aorta below the diaphragm, which divides into the iliac arteries and branches into the renal and suprarenal arteries.
  • These are the only arteries that carry deoxygenated blood, and are considered arteries because they carry blood away from the heart.