Right common carotid artery

Looks like

The main artery up each side of the neck, beside the windpipe, splitting into internal and external carotids at about the level of the Adam's apple.

What it does

Carries blood to the head, face and most of the brain.

Keeping it well

Its pulse is felt beside the windpipe. Plaque at the split causes strokes; a whooshing sound or a mini-stroke leads to an ultrasound.

Related conditions

• Carotid artery stenosis
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Hypothermia & frostbite
• Kawasaki disease
• Metabolic syndrome
• Orthostatic hypotension & POTS
• Peripheral artery disease
• Phaeochromocytoma & hyperaldosteronism
• Pre-eclampsia
• Raynaud's phenomenon
• Sepsis
• Shock (circulatory failure)
• Takayasu arteritis
• Vasculitis (GCA & others)