The carotid artery travels up each side of the neck and branches into smaller vessels that supply blood to the brain. Blood flowing through the carotid arteries (carotid pulses) can be felt on each side of the neck next to the windpipe (trachea).
The carotid arteries are a common location for hardening of the artery wall (atherosclerosis) to occur.
Author:Jeannette Curtis
Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Medical Review:Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Last Updated: 05/25/2007
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