Where are the left and right common carotid arteries located?

The common carotid artery that people often talk about is actually the most important arterial trunk in the human head. It is reported that the left and right common carotid arteries of the human body are different. For example, the artery on the right originates from the innominate artery, and the artery on the left originates from the autonomic artery. The arteries on both sides are very important and rise along the outside of the human trachea and throat. Many people do not know where the left and right common carotid arteries are. Let's learn about it in detail below.

Where are the left and right common carotid arteries located?

One on the left and one on the right. The right one arises from the brachiocephalic trunk, and the left one arises directly from the aortic arch. The common carotid arteries on both sides pass behind the left and right sternoclavicular joints, rise along the outside of the trachea and larynx, and divide into the internal carotid artery and the external carotid artery at the upper edge of the thyroid cartilage. There are no branches along this trunk. In front of the common carotid artery, the lower section is covered by the sternocleidomastoid muscle and infrahyoid muscle group, and the upper section is located within the carotid triangle, superficially, where the pulsation of the artery can be felt. It is adjacent to the esophagus, trachea, larynx and thyroid gland on the medial side. It is adjacent to the internal jugular vein on the outside, and the vagus nerve is located behind both. The common carotid artery, internal jugular vein and vagus nerve are collectively enclosed in the carotid sheath, with the hypoglossal nerve loop and its branches crossing the front of the sheath.

The line between the midpoint of the sternoclavicular joint and the midpoint of the line from the mandibular angle to the mastoid process is the surface projection of the common carotid artery and the external carotid artery.

On its way up, the common carotid artery passes in front of the transverse process of the 6th cervical vertebra at the level of the cricoid cartilage (midpoint of the anterior edge of the sternocleidomastoid muscle). When there is severe bleeding in the head, neck and face, the common carotid artery can be pressed backwards onto the transverse process of the 6th cervical vertebra to achieve temporary first aid and stop the bleeding.

There are two important structures where the common carotid artery divides into the internal carotid artery and the external carotid artery. There is a slight dilation at the beginning of the internal carotid artery, called the carotid sinus. The wall of the tube contains a large number of sensory nerve endings from the glossopharyngeal nerve, which constitute pressure receptors, and their function is the same as that of the pressure receptors in the aortic arch. Another important structure is the carotid body (carotid glomerulus), a flat oval body composed of epithelial cells. Located behind the bifurcation of the common carotid artery and connected to the posterior wall by connective tissue. It contains a large number of sensory nerve endings from the glossopharyngeal nerve, which constitute chemoreceptors and have the same function as the aortic body (bulb).