Report of a Variation of the Right Common Carotid Artery

Abstract

Carotid artery is the most important artery that carries the major part of the blood supply to the head and neck. The branching of the common carotid artery usually occurs at the upper edge of the thyroid cartilage. The placement of carotid sinus has also increased its importance in this area. Considering the clinical importance of knowledge about carotid artery variations, this case is reported. During the routine dissection of a 55-year-old man, a unilateral variation of right common carotid artery was found in the dissection saloon of School of Medicine. This artery was divided into two branches at the inferior border of the thyroid cartilage. The left common carotid artery was branched at the superior border of the thyroid cartilage. Knowledge of carotid artery variations is necessary for anatomists, neurosurgeons, in neck, ENT, and jaw surgeries as well as for angiography, catheterization and carotid arterectomy.