| carotid artery, common | The two principal arteries supplying the structures of the head and neck. They ascend in the neck, one on each side, and at the level of the upper border of the thyroid cartilage, each divides into two branches, the external (carotid artery, external) and internal (carotid artery, internal) carotid arteries. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| carotid artery, external | Branch of the common carotid artery which supplies the exterior of the head, the face, and the greater part of the neck. (12 Dec 1998) |
| carotid artery, internal | Branch of the common carotid artery which supplies the anterior part of the brain, the eye and its appendages, the forehead and nose. (12 Dec 1998) |
| carotid body | A small cluster of chemoreceptive and supporting cells located near the bifurcation of the internal carotid artery. The carotid body, which is richly supplied with fenestrated capillaries, senses the pH, carbon dioxide, and oxygen concentrations in the blood and plays a crucial role in their homeostatic control. (12 Dec 1998) |
| carotid body cell | <pathology> Cells derived from the neural crest, involved in sensing pH and oxygen tension of the blood. (18 Nov 1997) |
| carotid body tumour | An invariably benign, encapsulated, firm round mass at the bifurcation of the common carotid artery, with nests of large polyhedral cells in alveolar or organoid arrangement. It is usually asymptomatic but large masses may encroach upon the parapharyngeal space and produce dysphagia, pain, and cranial nerve palsies. (12 Dec 1998) |
| carotid bruit | <cardiology, clinical sign> A systolic murmur heard at the root of the neck (over a carotid artery) that is produced by turbulence from a blockage of blood flow in the vessel, can indicate carotid artery occlusive disease. See: stroke. (27 Sep 1997) |
| carotid bulb | <anatomy> A slight dilation in the carotid artery at its bifurcation into the external and internal carotid arteries, it contains baroreceptors (pressure sensors) that when stimulated, will cause a reflex slowing of the heart, vasodilation and a fall in blood pressure. (27 Sep 1997) |
| carotid canal | A passage through the petrous part of the temporal bone from its inferior surface upward, medially, and forward to the apex where it opens into the foramen lacerum. It transmits the internal carotid artery and plexuses of veins and autonomic nerves. Synonym: canalis caroticus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| carotid doppler | <investigation> A noninvasive test which uses high-frequency sounds waves to determine extent of blood flow through the carotid arteries in the neck. Used in the evaluation of stoke and TIA symptoms. (08 Jan 1998) |
| carotid duct | A portion of the embryonic dorsal aorta between points of juncture with the third and fourth arch arteries; it disappears early in development. Synonym: carotid duct. (05 Mar 2000) |
| carotid duplex | <investigation> A noninvasive test which uses high-frequency sounds waves to determine extent of blood flow through the carotid arteries in the neck. Used in the evaluation of stoke and TIA symptoms. (08 Jan 1998) |
| carotid endarterectomy | <procedure, surgery> A surgical procedure which removes atherosclerotic plaque from the walls of the carotid arteries, reducing the risk of stroke or TIA. This procedure carries a high success rate, but also a small risk of stroke during or immediately after the procedure. Carotid endarterectomy has been proven to reduce the risk of major debilitating stroke and improve quality of life. (27 Sep 1997) |
| carotid foramen | The opening at each extremity of the carotid canal in the petrous portion of the temporal bone; the external carotid foramen is on the inferior surface of the pyramid; the internal is at the apex. (05 Mar 2000) |
| carotid ganglion | A small ganglionic swelling on filaments from the internal carotid plexus, lying on the undersurface of the carotid artery in the cavernous sinus. Synonym: Bock's ganglion, Laumonier's ganglion. (05 Mar 2000) |