Definition

1. Noun:
   • A major artery in the neck: The common carotid is a large blood vessel that supplies oxygenated blood to the head and neck. It ascends on each side of the neck and branches into two main arteries: the external carotid and the internal carotid.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The surgeon carefully dissected the tissue to expose the common carotid.
  • Atherosclerosis can cause a dangerous narrowing of the common carotid.
  • The pulse can be felt by pressing gently on the common carotid in the neck.

Advanced Usage

• "Common carotid artery": This is the full anatomical term. The word "common" distinguishes it from its two primary branches.
  • The ultrasound showed a plaque buildup in the left common carotid artery.

Variants and Related Words

• Carotid (adj): Pertaining to the carotid arteries.
  • The patient had a carotid bruit, indicating possible narrowing.
• Internal carotid artery (n): The branch of the common carotid that supplies blood to the brain.
• External carotid artery (n): The branch of the common carotid that supplies blood to the face and neck.

Synonyms

• Carotid artery (when used in context, though this can refer to the common carotid or its branches).
• Great artery of the neck (descriptive term).

Related Phrases

• Carotid sinus: A dilated area at the base of the internal carotid artery involved in blood pressure regulation.
• Carotid endarterectomy: A surgical procedure to remove plaque from the carotid artery.

Noun

1. runs upward in the neck and divides into the external and internal carotid arteries