Left Common
Carotid Artery (CCA)
- Origin and course
- Left common carotid arises directly from
the arch of Aorta as a second branch
- CCA terminates into external and internal
carotid arteries at the level of Thyroid cartilage
- At the level of division there is a
dilatation called carotid sinus or bulb. This may primarily involve
Internal carotid artery
- CCA is contained in the carotid sheath
which also encloses the internal jugular vein and vagus nerve.
- No branches.
- Relationship
- Internal jugular vein lies lateral to CCA
in the neck
- Esophagus, Trachea, Larynx, Pharynx and Thyroid
gland are medial
- Posteriorly lies transverse process of C4,
C5, C6, Longus coli aand longus capitis muscles
- Anteriorly Sternomastoid, Sternohyoid,
sternothyroid and platysma muscles
- Supplies
- Major portion of blood supply to the head
and neck