Summary Major blood vessels of the neck

MAJOR BLOOD VESSELS OF THE NECK
THEIR BRANCHES AND TRIBUTARIES


Arterial System

Origin




Common Carotid Artery

The right common carotid artery arises from a
bifurcation of the brachiocephalic trunk (the right
subclavian artery is the other branch). This bifurcation
occurs roughly at the level of the right sternoclavicular
joint.

The left common carotid artery branches directly from
the arch of aorta. The left and right common carotid arteries
ascend up the neck, lateral to the trachea and the oesophagus. They do not give off any
branches in the neck.

At the level of the superior margin of the thyroid cartilage (C4), the carotid arteries split
into the external and internal carotid arteries. This bifurcation occurs in an anatomical
area known as the carotid triangle.

The common carotid and internal carotid are
slightly dilated here, this area is known as the
carotid sinus, and is important in detecting and
regulating blood pressure. The carotid body is a
small mass of tissue located at bifurcation of CCA
chemoreceptor, it responds to changes in
chemical composition of blood.