Lecture 4: Carotid Triangle and Neurovascular Structures

Question 1

Describe the beginning and end points of the carotid sheath

Answer 1

Starts at foramen of carotid canal and ends at the aortic arch.

Question 2

What structures are housed within the carotid sheath?

Answer 2

Common carotid artery
Internal carotid artery
External carotid artery (part)
Internal jugular vein
CNX

Question 3

What is the fundamental difference between ECA and ICA with regard to branches?

Answer 3

ICA has no branches in head and neck region; it supplies the brain anteriorly directly via carotid canal.

Question 4

What is the carotid sinus and what is its function?

Answer 4

Enlargement at bifurcation of common carotid artery. Has baroreceptors in wall of ICA to detect blood pressure changes.

Question 5

Which nerve innervates the carotid sinus?

Answer 5

GLOSSOPHARYNGEAL (via carotid sinus nerve and vagus nerve)

Question 6

What is the carotid body and what is its function?

Answer 6

Small structure at bifurcation of common carotid artery which houses chemoreceptors. Detects changes in O2, CO2 and pH.

Question 7

Which nerve innervates the carotid body?

Answer 7

GLOSSOPHARYNGEAL (via carotid sinus nerve and vagus nerve)

Question 8

In relation to the cervical vertebrae, where is the carotid sinus located?

Answer 8

C3/4

Question 9

What are the 8 branches of the ECA?

Answer 9

Superior thyroid
Ascending pharyngeal
Lingual
Facial
Occipital
Posterior auricular
Superficial temporal
Maxillary

Question 10

What are the terminal branches of the ECA?

Answer 10

Superficial Temporal & Maxillary