Carotid artery facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Common carotid artery
The common carotid artery arises directly from the aorta on the left and as a branch of the brachiocephalic trunk on the right.
The common carotid artery and its main branches
Latin	Arteria carotis communis
Vein	internal jugular vein
Precursor	aortic arch 3

The common carotid arteries are important blood vessels in your body. You have one on the left side of your neck and one on the right. These arteries bring fresh, oxygen-rich blood from your heart to your head and neck. In your neck, each common carotid artery splits into two smaller arteries: the external carotid artery and the internal carotid artery.

Where Are the Carotid Arteries Located?

You have a common carotid artery on both the left and right sides of your body. They start from different places but follow a similar path up your neck.

Origin Points of the Arteries

• The common carotid artery on your right side starts in your neck. It branches off from a larger artery called the brachiocephalic trunk.
• The common carotid artery on your left side starts lower down, in your chest. It comes directly from the aortic arch, which is a big curve of the main artery from your heart.

How They Divide

Both common carotid arteries travel up your neck. They split into two main branches near your voice box (larynx). This split happens around the level of your fourth neck bone (vertebra).

The two branches are:

• The external carotid artery: This artery supplies blood to the outside parts of your head, like your face and scalp.
• The internal carotid artery: This artery goes deeper into your head. It supplies blood to your brain and eyes.

Size of the Arteries

The common carotid arteries are not very wide. On average, in adult males, they are about 6.5 millimeters (a little over a quarter of an inch) wide. In adult females, they are slightly smaller, about 6.1 millimeters wide.

See also

In Spanish: Arterias carótidas para niños