What is the carotid artery?

Carotid artery is the main blood vessel that gives the brain with oxygenated blood. The brain has very high oxygen requirements and the interruption of its oxygen supply can be fatal in minutes, as the cells are damaged and die due to oxygen deprivation. For this reason, carotid artery is a particularly critical part of the body circulatory system and overall blood supply. Like other main arteries, it carries a very high blood volume at the moment.

There are two cervical arteries, one on both sides of the body. Both are initially formed in the form of a common carotid artery, which is then divided into external and internal carotid arteries. People may feel their pulse in this artery by touching the neck, a technique that commonly learns people like exercise -insists who want to watch their heart rate when they work. Doctors can also find carotid and use it as a rapid reference point during the patient's evaluation.

If the patient carotid artery is interrupted, it mayand minutes to bleed. Likewise, internal injuries that burst carotid artery can cause very high volume of internal bleeding and expose the patient with a serious risk. If the patient can be treated and recovered, brain may damage the brain's temporary deprivation into the brain.

Several health problems may include carotid artery. In atherosclerosis, plaques of material accumulate on the inside of the artery walls. This can be dangerous because it narrows the artery width in a process known as stenosis. The artery can also harden and the walls can be endangered by rupture. Stenosis limits the amount of blood that can pass and can lead to conditions such as strokes. In addition, plaques or blood clots can break away, enter the brain and cause stroke.

Carotid artery problems are sometimes identified during physical examinations. Medical imaging studies can be used to SLeding the path of artery and searching for stenosis, aneurysm and other problems. Surgical procedures are available for emergency situations and some conditions can be managed with drug changes or lifestyle. Operations include the insertion of the stents to make the artery open, along with open operations where the artery is open to allow the surgeon to remove plaque accumulation and other materials.