The carotid artery is a pair of vessels that supply blood to all organs and tissues of the head and neck, primarily the brain and eyes. But what do we know about her? Probably, only the thought comes to mind that by pressing with your fingers in the area where it lies (on the throat, towards the trachea), you can always easily feel the pulse.
Structure of the carotid artery
The common carotid artery (number "3" in the figure) originates in the chest area and consists of two blood vessels - the right and left. It rises along the trachea and esophagus along the transverse processes of the vertebrae of the neck closer to the front of the human body.
The right common carotid artery has a length of 6 to 12 centimeters and starts from the trunk of the brachiocephalic, and ends with a division in the region of the upper edge of the thyroid cartilage.
The left common carotid artery is a couple of centimeters longer than the right one (its size can reach 16 centimeters), since it starts a little lower - from the aortic arch.
Common carotid artery(its left and right parts) from the chest area rises along the muscles covering the cervical vertebrae vertically upwards. The tube of the esophagus and trachea runs in the center between the right and left vessels. Outside of it, closer to the front of the neck, is the same paired jugular vein. Her blood flow is directed down to the heart muscle. And between the common carotid artery and the jugular vein is the vagus nerve. Together they form the cervical neurovascular bundle.
Bifurcation of the common carotid artery
Above, near the edge of the thyroid cartilage, the carotid artery divides into internal and external / external (marked with numbers 1 and 2 in the first figure). At the bifurcation site, where the common carotid artery branches into two processes, there is an extension called the carotid sinus and the carotid glomus, a small nodule adjacent to the sinus. This reflexogenic zone is very important in the human body, it is responsible for blood pressure (its stability), the constancy of the heart muscle and the gas composition of the blood.
The external carotid artery divides into several more groups of large vessels and supplies blood to the salivary and thyroid glands, facial and tongue muscles, the occipital and parotid regions, the region of the upper jaw and the temporal region. It consists of:
- external thyroid;
- ascending pharyngeal;
- language;
- front;
- occipital;
- posterior auricular artery.
The internal carotid artery divides into five more vessels and transports blood to the eye area.apples, the anterior and posterior parts of the brain, the spinal cord in the region of the cervical vertebrae. Consists of seven segments:
- Connecting.
- Ocular.
- Cervical.
- Stony.
- Wedge-shaped.
- Cavernous.
- Patch Hole Segment.
Carotid blood flow measurement
To measure the level of blood flow, you need to undergo a study called duplex scanning of the brachiocephalic vessels (BCA ultrasound). Brachiocephalic (main) vessels are called the largest arteries and veins on the human body - carotid, vertebral, subclavian. They are responsible for blood flow to the brain, head tissues and upper limbs.
The result of BCA ultrasound shows:
- width of vessel lumen;
- presence/absence of plaques, detachments, blood clots on their walls;
- dilation/stenosis of vessel walls;
- presence of deformities, ruptures, aneurysms.
The rate of blood flow for the brain is 55 ml / 100 g of tissue. It is this level of travel along the carotid artery that guarantees good blood supply to the brain and the absence of narrowing of the lumen, plaques, and deformities of the carotid artery.
Carotid thrombosis
When the internal/common/external carotid arteries become blocked (a blood clot forms in the lumen of the vessel), an ischemic stroke occurs, and sometimes even a sudden death. The main reason for the formation of blood clots is atherosclerosis, which leads to the formation of plaque. Other causes of plaques include:
- presence of such ailments as fibromuscular dysplasia, diseases of moyamoya, Horton, Takayasu;
- traumatic brain injury with hematoma in the area of the artery;
- features of the structure of the arteries: hypoplasia, tortuosity;
- smoking;
- diabetes;
- obesity.
Plaque symptoms
It should be understood that the common carotid artery, in which the narrowing of the lumens and the formation of plaques, may not manifest itself in any way. However, there are signs by which a doctor can diagnose their presence.
- neck pain;
- severe paroxysmal headaches;
- loss of consciousness, fainting;
- periodic blindness in one or both eyes;
- blurred vision during exercise;
- cataract;
- presence of specific tinnitus (blowing or screaming);
- paralysis of feet and legs;
- disordered walking;
- obvious slowness, lethargy;
- weak chewing movements;
- changing the color of the retina;
- convulsions;
- hallucinations, delusions, disturbances of consciousness;
- speech disorder and more.
Gradual deterioration of the brain due to disruption of its blood supply and a heart attack (in case of complete obstruction of the vessel) can significantly change life at any moment.
Treatment of blocked carotid artery
Before prescribing treatment, an examination is carried out, which allows you to find out the features of the course of the disease, determine the exact locationaffected artery:
- Doppler ultrasound.
- Rheoencephalography (REG) - obtaining information about the elasticity and tone of the vessels of the head.
- Electroencephalography (EEG) - a study of the state of brain functions.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - gives a detailed picture of the state of the medulla, blood vessels and nervous system.
- Computed tomography (CT) is an x-ray study of brain structures.
After clarifying the diagnosis, depending on the degree and characteristics of the course of the disease, treatment is prescribed:
- Conservative. Prophylactic treatment with certain drugs (anticoagulants and thrombolytics) for several months or even years, with periodic monitoring of the degree of improvement.
- Surgical / neurosurgical treatment (for multiple thrombi, risk of thromboembolism):
- Novocaine blockade.
- Creating a bypass for blood flow to the blocked area of the carotid artery.
- Replacement of part of the damaged vessel with vascular prostheses.
