The carotid artery is considered one of the largest human circulatory organs. This vessel belongs to the systemic circulation. It consists of paired elastic tubular formations, which, with the help of branches, deliver blood to the brain, saturating it with oxygen and essential substances. Also, these vessels are connected with the neck and eyes.
The carotid artery has a vulnerable location. At any time, it can be subjected to a mechanical impact. The body, having received a signal of an increase in pressure, reacts by lowering it. At the same time, the heart rate decreases, which can cause fainting. With a sufficiently intense exposure, a fatal outcome is likely.
Interruption of blood circulation in an artery can occur when it is clogged or the slightest weakening of the blood flow in it. Sometimes a person does not even realize the presence of such a pathology as carotid tortuosity.arteries. Meanwhile, this condition can cause ischemic attacks and lead to a stroke. We will talk about this problem in detail in the article.
Location of the carotid artery in humans
When a critical situation arises, skills in determining the heartbeat on the carotid artery can save a person's life. One of the pair of vessels of the artery is located on the left side of the neck. It is longer than the right one, has a length of up to sixteen centimeters and starts from the brachiocephalic trunk. The vessel, located on the opposite side, comes from the aortic arch. Its size varies from six to twelve centimeters.
The artery itself is located in the direction from the thoracic region to the line of the trachea and esophagus. At the same time, it branches and then passes opposite the processes of the vertebrae of the neck to the frontal section of the human body. There is an external and internal cerebral blood vessel.
External carotid artery
This organ branches into four sections: anterior, posterior, medial and terminal. The functions of the external carotid artery are to ensure the movement of blood in the thyroid and salivary glands, the muscles of the face and tongue, the occipital and parotid regions, the upper jaw and the temporal part. Consider the internal carotid artery.
Internal carotid artery
This is the posterior component of the artery. Where is she? It is located along the cervical region, from which it goes to the human skull from the side of the temple. The main function of this organ is to nourish the cells.brain.
Tortuosity of the internal carotid artery within the norms of physiology is present in every he althy person. The structure of this vessel reproduces the relief of the cervical region and the inner part of a certain part of the skull. This form of the circulatory organ does not affect the complex symptoms. With pathological tortuosity of the internal carotid artery, changes in the blood supply to the brain occur.
Measuring indicators
To determine the degree of blood movement in the carotid artery, it is necessary to be examined using duplex and radioisotope scanning, in which the following indicators are determined:
- the size of the space of the blood organs;
- plaque formation;
- number of blood clots, their absence;
- presence of tissue damage;
- aneurysms;
- degree of deformation of the tubular formation.
The norm of the level of blood flow in the cerebral organs is 55 milliliters per 100 grams of the tissue structure of the brain. Pathological tortuosity of the carotid arteries diagnosed by complex examinations with a significant degree can serve as a reason for surgical intervention.
Causes of pathology
Most often this physiological feature is transmitted genetically. The formation of tortuosity of the carotid artery is explained by the dominance of elastic fibers over collagen ones. As a result, wear occurs, the walls of the vessels are deformed and become thin. Atherosclerosis can also be the cause. In this disease, there areplaques, due to which the lumen in the vessels narrows, which leads to improper functioning of blood circulation.
Twisting of the carotid artery is often detected during a preventive study. As a rule, initially it is asymptomatic, but later the patient may experience transient disturbances in the circulation of the cerebral lymph, leading to a microstroke. It is very important to diagnose the cause in time.
Pathology, its types
Usually there is a pathological tortuosity of the internal or common carotid artery. Perhaps the development of pathology of tortuosity on both sides. There are following types of deviations:
- S-shaped tortuosity of the carotid arteries. Deformation of the vessel occurs due to an increase in the size of the artery. Usually this does not cause problems, it is diagnosed by chance during examination for the purpose of prevention. Over time, the kink can transform into a kink, which further leads to impaired blood flow.
- Kinking. The carotid artery is bent at an acute angle. Often this deformity occurs at birth. In its presence, a person from an early age suffers from problems with the blood circulation of the brain. In other cases, kinking outgrows from the S-tortuosity of the carotid arteries with a long course of hypertension and atherosclerosis in the vessels. In this situation, there is instability in the blood circulation of the brain with pronounced signs of nausea, vomiting, pain in the head.
- Coiling. The artery is formed in the form of a loop. In this case, the vessel is bent smoothly, forming loops. The blood flow in these parts of the artery is slowed down, sometimes very much, due to which sudden attacks can occur. An unexpected condition occurs due to such a factor as the pressure indicator.
Signs of carotid tortuosity
The described pathology has the following clinical manifestations:
- intense head pains of varying intensity;
- feeling unpleasant noise in the ears, hardships in the head;
- sudden fainting, dazzling eyes;
- cyclic appearance of problems with the processes of coordination of movements and balance;
- cognitive impairment, hand weakness.
Identification of pathological tortuosity of the carotid arteries is complicated by the similarity of symptoms with other vascular diseases.
Treatment of pathology
Is it possible to fix this problem? Unfortunately, at the moment, arterial pathology can be eliminated only with the help of surgical intervention. The operation is prescribed for significant violations in the movement of blood through the vessels.
In this case, angioplasty and stenting are performed. This is a rather complicated process in which the vessel is straightened to restore its patency and remove the excess affected area. When installing a prosthesis - in order to create an obstacle to recurrence - the stent remains inside the artery. After surgery, in most cases, negative symptoms disappear without a trace.
Preventive measures
To prevent the occurrence of defects in the tissues of the walls of the blood cerebral vessels, you should:
- monitor cholesterol levels, do not eat foods that provoke its increase;
- get rid of bad habits, especially smoking;
- control weight, exercise.
With tortuosity of the vessels, it is recommended to avoid hitting the head and lifting weights. Manual therapy methods and professional sports activities are contraindicated.
