Internal carotid artery

Gray's Anatomy with markup showing carotid artery bifurcation

The Internal Carotid Artery is a major blood vessel in the human body that supplies oxygen-rich blood to the brain. It is one of the two main branches of the common carotid artery, the other being the external carotid artery.

Anatomy

The internal carotid artery originates from the common carotid artery at the level of the top of the thyroid cartilage and, ascending in the neck, it enters the skull through the carotid canal.

Branches and Areas Supplied

The internal carotid artery gives off a number of branches that supply blood to various parts of the brain:

• The ophthalmic artery supplies the eye and its associated structures.
• The anterior cerebral artery supplies the frontal lobes of the brain.
• The middle cerebral artery supplies parts of the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes.

Clinical Significance

The internal carotid artery is of great clinical significance as it is often involved in stroke due to atherosclerosis. It can also be involved in carotid artery disease, which can lead to a reduction in blood flow to the brain, causing a transient ischemic attack or a stroke.

See Also

• Common carotid artery
• External carotid artery
• Carotid artery disease
• Stroke