Anatomy. Common carotid artery

Sleepy artery - paired vessels that supply blood to all organs and tissues of the head and neck, primarily the brain and eyes. But what do we know about it? Probably, only the thought comes to mind that by pressing fingers in the area where it lies (on the throat, towards the trachea), one can always easily feel the pulse.

The structure of the carotid artery

The common carotid artery (figure "3" in the figure) originates in the region of the thorax and consists of two blood vessels - the right and left. It rises along the trachea and esophagus along the transverse processes of the vertebrae of the neck closer to the front of the human body.

The right common carotid artery has a length of 6 to 12 centimeters and starts from the trunk of the brachiocephalic, and ends with division in the region of the upper margin of the thyroid cartilage.

The left common carotid artery is a couple of centimeters longer than the right one (its size can reach 16 centimeters), since it starts just below - from the arch of the aorta.

The common carotid artery (left and right parts of it) from the chest area rises along the cervical vertebrae muscles vertically upwards. In the center between the right and left vessels is the tube of the esophagus and trachea. Outside it, closer to the front of the neck, is the same pair of jugular veins. Her blood flow is directed downward, toward the heart muscle. And between the common carotid artery and the jugular vein is a vagus nerve. Together they form a cervical neurovascular bundle.

Bifurcation of the common carotid artery

Above, near the edge of the thyroid cartilage, the carotid artery divides into the inner and outer / outer (in the first figure are indicated by the numbers 1 and 2). In the place of bifurcation, where the common carotid artery branched into two processes, there is an extension called a sleepy sinus and a sleeping glomus - a small nodule adjacent to the sinus. This reflexogenic zone is very important in the human body, it is responsible for blood pressure (its stability), the constancy of the heart muscle and the gas composition of the blood.

The external carotid artery is divided into several groups of large vessels and supplies blood salivary and thyroid gland, facial and tongue muscles, occiput and parotid, upper jaw region and temporal region. It consists of:

• External thyroid;
• Ascending pharyngeal;
• language;
• facial;
• Occipital;
• Posterior ear arteries.

The internal carotid artery is divided into five vessels and is transporting blood to the field of eyeballs, the anterior and posterior parts of the brain, the spinal cord in the region of the cervical vertebrae. It consists of seven segments:

• Connecting.
• Eye.
• Shaynogo.
• Rocky.
• Wedge-shaped.
• Cavernous.
• The segment of the torn hole.

Measurement of blood flow through the carotid artery

To measure the level of blood flow, it is necessary to undergo a study, which is called duplex scanning of brachiocephalic vessels (USDA). Brachiocephalic (main) vessels are the largest arteries and veins on the human body - the carotid, vertebral, subclavian. They are responsible for the flow of blood to the brain, the tissues of the head and upper limbs.

The result of the USA BRS shows:

• The width of the lumen of blood vessels;
• Presence / absence of plaques, exfoliation, thrombus on their walls;
• Expansion / stenosis of vessel walls;
• Presence of deformations, ruptures, aneurysms.

The blood flow rate for the brain is 55 ml / 100 g of tissue. It is this level of motion along the carotid artery that guarantees good blood supply to the cerebral cortex and the absence of narrowing of the lumen, plaques, deformations of the carotid artery.

Thrombosis of the carotid artery

When the internal / common / external carotid arteries are clogged (a blood clot forms in the lumen of the vessel), an ischemic stroke occurs, and sometimes even a sudden fatal outcome. The main reason for the formation of thrombi is atherosclerosis, which leads to the formation of a plaque. Other reasons for the appearance of plaques include:

• The presence of such ailments as fibromyschechnaya dysplasia, myoma diseases, Horton, Takayasu;
• Craniocerebral trauma with hematoma in the artery;
• Features of the structure of the arteries: hypoplasia, tortuosity;
• smoking;
• diabetes;
• obesity.

Symptoms of having plaques

It is worthwhile to understand that the common carotid artery, in which narrowing of the lumens and the formation of plaques, may not manifest itself in any way. However, there are signs that the doctor can diagnose their presence.

• Pain in the neck;
• Severe paroxysmal headaches;
• Loss of consciousness, fainting;
• Periodic blindness to one or both eyes;
• Blurred vision with physical activity;
• cataract;
• Presence of specific noise in the ears (blowing or screaming);
• Paralysis of feet and feet;
• Disturbances in walking;
• Obvious slowness, retardation;
• Weakness of chewing movements;
• Changing the color of the retina of the eye;
• Convulsions;
• Hallucinations, delusions, impaired consciousness;
• Speech disorder and much more.

Gradual deterioration of the brain, associated with a violation of his blood supply and heart attack (in the case of complete obstruction of the vessel) can significantly change life at any time.

Treatment of plugging of the carotid artery

Before the appointment of treatment, a survey is performed that allows you to find out the features of the course of the disease, to determine the exact location of the affected artery:

• Ultrasound with dopplerography.
• Rheoencephalography (REG) - obtaining information on the elasticity and tone of the vessels of the head.
• Electroencephalography (EEG) - a study of the state of the functions of the brain.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - gives a detailed idea of the state of the brain substance, blood vessels and the nervous system.
• Computer tomography (CT) - X-ray examination of brain structures.

After specification of the diagnosis, depending on the degree and features of the course of the disease, the treatment is prescribed:

1. Conservative. Preventive treatment with certain drugs (anticoagulants and thrombolytics) for several months or even years, with periodic monitoring of the degree of improvement.
2. Surgical / neurosurgical treatment (with multiple thromboses, thromboembolism hazard):

• Blockade with novocaine.
• Paving the bypass for the blood flow of a blocked portion of the carotid artery.
• Replacing part of the damaged vessel with vascular prostheses.