Blood Vessels Of The Head And Neck Flashcards
Origin of the right common carotid artery
Arch of aorta > brachiocephalic trunk > right common carotid artery
Origin of the left common carotid artery
Direct branch from the arch of aorta
What do the common carotid arteries bifurcate into?
Internal + external carotid artery
At what point do the common carotid arteries bifurcate?
C4
What is the bifurcation of common carotid artery a common site for?
Atherosclerotic plaque due to it being a ‘site of turbulence’
Where is the carotid sinus located?
Proximal point of the internal carotid artery with a bulbous appearance
Where is the carotid body located?
In adventitia of carotid artery bifurcation
Function of the carotid sinus
Monitors blood pressure using baroreceptors
Function of carotid body
Monitors blood pO2 using chemoreceptors
What is a carotid sinus massage?
stimulates the baroreceptors and slows heart rate
What is a carotid ultrasound (doppler) scan used for?
- to visualise + measure blood flow
- identify stenosis
How many branches does the external carotid artery have?
8
Where does the external carotid artery terminate?
As the superficial temporal artery + maxillary artery
What is arteritis?
Inflammatory of the walls of arteries
What is temporal arteritis?
What does it have a high risk of?
- inflammation of arteries by temples
- losing vision
Name three branches of the maxillary artery
- middle meingeal artery
- sphenopalatine artery
- greater palatine artery
Where does the sphenopalatine artery supply?
Nasal cavity