EXTERNAL CAROTID Meaning and
Definition
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The external carotid is a significant artery located in the neck region of the body. It is one of the two main branches of the common carotid artery, the other being the internal carotid artery. The external carotid artery begins at the upper part of the neck, at a point just above the thyroid cartilage, and runs upwards, supplying blood to various structures in the head and neck.
The primary function of the external carotid artery is to deliver oxygenated blood to the structures outside the skull, including the face, scalp, and neck muscles. It branches out into several smaller arteries that spread throughout this region, providing nourishment and oxygen to these tissues. These branches include the superior thyroid artery, lingual artery, facial artery, occipital artery, and maxillary artery, among others.
The external carotid artery can be palpated and assessed for its pulse, which can be useful in evaluating the overall cardiovascular health of an individual. Additionally, it is commonly used in medical procedures like carotid angiography, where a contrast dye is injected into the artery to study its blood flow or to visualize any blockages or abnormalities.
In summary, the external carotid artery is a major blood vessel in the neck that supplies oxygenated blood to the structures outside the skull, playing a crucial role in maintaining the health and functionality of the face, scalp, and neck muscles.
Common Misspellings for EXTERNAL CAROTID
- wxternal carotid
- sxternal carotid
- dxternal carotid
- rxternal carotid
- 4xternal carotid
- 3xternal carotid
- ezternal carotid
- ecternal carotid
- edternal carotid
- esternal carotid
- exrernal carotid
- exfernal carotid
- exgernal carotid
- exyernal carotid
- ex6ernal carotid
- ex5ernal carotid
- extwrnal carotid
- extsrnal carotid
- extdrnal carotid
Etymology of EXTERNAL CAROTID
The etymology of the word "external carotid" can be broken down as follows:
1. External: The word "external" originated from the Latin word "externus", which means "outer" or "outside". It refers to something that is situated on or related to the outside or outer part of a structure.
2. Carotid: The word "carotid" is derived from the Greek word "karōtides", which means "carotid arteries". The Greek term was adapted from the word "karos", meaning "heavy sleep" or "stupor". This association can be attributed to the fact that compressing the carotid arteries can lead to unconsciousness.
Hence, "external carotid" refers to the outer and superficial branch of the carotid artery, which is a key blood vessel located in the neck.
Similar spelling words for EXTERNAL CAROTID
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