Carotid Artery
Not treating this condition puts the patient at risk for involvement of other branches of the external carotid artery, the worst of which would be the ophthalmic branch.
What our notes say
- Not treating this condition puts the patient at risk for involvement of other branches of the external carotid artery, the worst of which would be the ophthalmic branch. (CARDIOVASCULAR PATHOLOGY — Past Paper Questions & Answers)
- Course: exits medulla → jugular foramen → descends in carotid sheath between IJV and carotid artery → enters thorax. (Master First-Year Anatomy: Must-Know Essays & Key Concepts)
- Structures passing through (Superficial to Deep): Facial nerve (CN VII), Retromandibular vein, External carotid artery. (Anatomy and Embryology Examination Questions and Marking Scheme)
Practice questions on Carotid Artery
A 57-year-old woman has experienced episodes of altered mental status for the past month. On physical examination, she has bilateral carotid artery bruits. She is given folic acid supplementation. Which of the following laboratory test findings is she most likely to have?
- Factor V Leiden mutation
- Factor VIII deficiency
- Increased carcinoembryonic antigen
- Homocysteinemia
- Increased HDL cholesterol
Answer: D. An elevated plasma homocysteine level is a risk for atherosclerosis as well as thrombosis. Her findings point to transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) with risk for stroke. The carotid bruits represent arterial narrowing as the result of atherosclerosis. ---