Anatomy of carotid artery and its relationship with carotid atherosclerosis

Objective To explore anatomic features of carotid artery and its relationship with carotid atherosclerosis,and provide morphologic basis for the diagnosis and treatment of common carotid and internal carotid stenosis.Methods 30 adult cadaveric specimens(24 males and 6 females) were used in this study.Carotid arteries were observed and measured,as well the situation of carotid atherosclerosis was recorded.Results ①Outer diameter of the middle part of common carotid artery was about(8.75±1.56) mm and(8.31±0.99) mm for the left and right respectively.②Outer diameter of the root of internal carotid artery was(8.45±1.42) mm and(7.51±1.63) mm for the left and right respectively.③Outer diameter of the middle part of external carotid artery was(4.87±1.09) mm and(4.39±0.89) mm respectively.④ 18 cases appeared carotid atherosclerosis(60%),which happened mainly on the internal wall at the root of internal carotid.One case(3.33%) presented serious narrow,with the inner diameter of internal carotid of only about 1.6mm.Conclusions Carotid atherosclerosis is most likely to appear on the internal wall of carotid,which cause intraluminal narrow of internal carotid.