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Carotid Artery – Supply Blood from the aorta to the Head and the Brain
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Carotid Artery, is either of the two significant arteries that supply blood from the aorta to the head and the brain. In the article on the aorta, the origin of the carotid arteries is described—as from the right side springing from the in nominate artery to supply most of the right side of the head; and that on the left side arising directly from the aorta to nourish all of the structures of the left side of the head. Apart from these slight variations in their origin on the two sides, the carotid arteries and their branches are practically duplicated in the two halves of the head.
Thus, the main branches, the common carotids, soon branch into two, the external and internal carotids. This division takes place at the level of thyroid cartilage. The external carotid supplies the upper part of the front and side of the neck, the tongue, larynx, pharynx, face, the pterygoid regions, the upper part of the back of the neck, the scalp, and the major portions of the brain membranes.
The internal carotid soon enters the skull and supplies the majority of brain tissue, the orbital structures (the eye, etc.), and portions of the brain membranes. The branches of homologous arteries on the two sides are anastomose. However, many brain arteries are terminal arteries and do not anastomose. Occlusion of one of these vessels in the brain usually results in permanent injury. In deep throat cuts, these arteries may be involved, but they lie very deep and are not often severed.
The Carotid Artery, is either of the two significant arteries that supply blood from the aorta to the head and the brain. In the article on the aorta, the origin of the carotid arteries is described—as from the right side springing from the innominate artery to supply most of the right side of the head; and that on the left side arising directly from the aorta to carry all of the structures of the left side of the head.
Apart from these slight variations in their origin on the two sides, the carotid arteries and their branches are practically duplicated in the two halves of the head. Thus, the main branches, the common carotids, soon branch into two, the external and internal carotids. This division takes place at the level of thyroid cartilage.
The external carotid supplies the upper part of the front and side of the neck, the tongue, larynx, pharynx, face, the pterygoid regions, the upper part of the back of the neck, the scalp, and the major portions of the brain membranes. The internal carotid soon enters the skull and supplies a substantial part of brain tissue, the orbital structures (the eye, etc.), and portions of the brain membranes.
Despite the fact that many brain arteries are terminal and do not anastomose, the branches of homologous arteries between the two sides are somewhat similar. Occlusion of one of these vessels in the brain usually results in permanent injury. In deep throat cuts, these arteries may be involved, but they lie very deep and are not often severed.