Common carotid artery

Course

Arises directly from the aortic arch (unlike the right's brachiocephalic origin), ascends in the carotid sheath with the internal jugular vein and vagus nerve, and divides at the C4 level into internal and external carotids within the carotid triangle.

Branches

Terminal: internal carotid (brain and eye) and external carotid (face, scalp, neck).

Clinical relevance

The carotid bifurcation's turbulence and the carotid sinus's baroreceptors make it atherosclerosis's showcase — plaque here embolises to the retina and cortex, and endarterectomy or stenting prevents stroke in symptomatic stenosis. Carotid body tumours (paragangliomas) arise at the fork.

Related conditions

• Stroke
• Transient ischaemic attack (mini-stroke)