carotid artery

noun

variants or carotid

: either of the two main arteries that supply blood to the head of which the left in humans arises from the arch of the aorta and the right by bifurcation of the brachiocephalic artery with each passing up the side of the neck and dividing opposite the upper border of the thyroid cartilage into an external branch supplying the face, tongue, and external parts of the head and an internal branch supplying the brain, eye, and other internal parts of the head

Examples of carotid artery in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Doctors found that the bullet missed her carotid artery and lodged behind her larynx in front of her spine. —David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 26 Nov. 2025

Doctors discovered that the marker in Ditmore’s throat had compressed his carotid artery, creating a blood clot which led to the stroke. —Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 15 Nov. 2025

Doctors track the thickness of the carotid artery wall as an early warning sign for clogged arteries that can lead to heart attacks and strokes. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025

There were decidedly low-tech methods: Closely watching his pulsing carotid artery during an interview, talking to hundreds of witnesses and meticulously sifting through the charred remains of the fire for clues. —Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1667, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

carotid artery

noun

: either of the two main arteries that supply blood to the head of which the left in humans arises from the arch of the aorta and the right by bifurcation of the brachiocephalic artery with each passing along the corresponding anterolateral aspect of the neck and dividing opposite the upper border of the thyroid cartilage into an external branch supplying the face, tongue, and external parts of the head and an internal branch supplying the brain, eye, and other internal parts of the head

called also carotid

see common carotid artery, external carotid artery, internal carotid artery