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In human anatomy, the carotid artery refers to a number of major arteries in the head and neck.
Carotid artery can mean:
There are two carotid arteries, one on the left and one on the right.
From their origins and for about half their length, the carotid arteries are known as common carotid arteries. The left carotid arises from the arch of the aorta, while the right carotid arises as one of the branches of the bifurcation of the brachiocephalic artery (trunk) into the carotid and right subclavian artery. The carotids then continue along similar paths within their respective sides of the neck and skull. The common carotid is close to the surface and can be used to check the pulse.
At approximately the level of the third cervical vertebra, the common carotid branches into the internal carotid arteries and external carotid arteries.
"Carotid artery"