What is the carotid artery

Our body is full of various arteries. Blood flows in the blood vessels, providing more nutrients to our body, so we also get more nutrients. More nutrients can keep our body balanced, so the chance of disease will be reduced. So today we will take a look at what the large arteries in the neck are and what role they play in our body. Let's learn together.

The carotid artery is an artery found in the neck of vertebrates. There are the external carotid artery and the internal carotid artery. The former is distributed to the top of the head and face. The latter enters the cranium and is distributed to the brain and orbits. When it occurs, the mandibular arch of the gills is not formed in the branchial arch, so the aorta does not separate into the afferent and efferent branchial arteries.

The external carotid artery arises from the anterior aspect of the abdominal aorta. The internal carotid artery is formed by the extension of the blood vessels that lead to the third branchial arch, but in some fish, tailed amphibians and reptiles, this vessel also delivers some blood to the root of the aorta. The roots of the aortas of other higher vertebrates disappear between the third and fourth aortic arches, so the third aortic arch forms a pure carotid artery. The part of the abdominal aorta between the third and fourth aortic arches is called the common carotid trunk; in higher vertebrates, the common carotid trunk divides into left and right common carotid arteries, and then each branch into the external carotid artery and the internal carotid artery.

Carotid artery stenosis and its diagnosis and treatment methods:

The carotid artery is a blood channel that flows to the brain. When the internal diameter of this channel becomes smaller due to various reasons, it is called carotid stenosis. The most common cause of carotid stenosis is carotid artery sclerosis, accounting for more than 90%.

Carotid artery stenosis can result in insufficient blood flow to the brain tissue, leading to symptoms of cerebral ischemia. In addition, if the carotid artery plaque grows unevenly, it may break apart and produce debris. After these fragments fall off, they float into the brain with the blood flow, where they can block peripheral blood vessels and cause ischemia or even necrosis of a small area of ​​brain tissue. The blood vessels blocked by tiny debris are relatively thin, so the area of ​​brain tissue ischemia caused is very small, and may even be asymptomatic. Of course, most of the symptoms are short-term dizziness, difficulty in movement, blurred vision, etc.

If the blood vessels blocked by the debris are thicker, the area of ​​necrotic tissue in the brain will be larger, which can lead to true cerebral infarction and various symptoms of stroke, such as dizziness, fainting, weakness, falls, hemiplegia, aphasia, hemianopsia, balance disorders, cognitive disorders, incontinence, movement disorders, etc. In severe cases, sequelae may be left behind and even life-threatening. In a small number of patients, thrombosis may occur at the stenotic site of the carotid artery, suddenly blocking blood flow, or the thrombus may break off and block blood flow to the distal brain, causing acute cerebral infarction and resulting in stroke.

According to the above statements, we know that the large arteries in the neck are a blood channel that flows to the brain. If there is an abnormality, there will be a shortage of blood supply to our brain. If our brain is not supplied with enough blood, cerebral ischemia will occur, which is very serious. Therefore, the large arteries must not be blocked. I hope everyone is in good health.