Internal carotid artery (Arteria carotis interna)
Educational content only — not medical advice.
Anatomy
Ascends without cervical branches through the carotid canal into the skull, supplying the anterior brain and eye via middle and anterior cerebral and ophthalmic arteries, ending in the circle of Willis.
Clinical notes
Complete occlusion blinds and paralyses the same-side hemisphere distribution (ipsilateral amaurosis with contralateral hemiplegia); cavernous-sinus injury in skull-base fracture creates a carotico-cavernous fistula with pulsating exophthalmos.
Related structures
Educational references
FAQ
What is the role of the Internal carotid artery?
Ascends without cervical branches through the carotid canal into the skull, supplying the anterior brain and eye via middle and anterior cerebral and ophthalmic arteries, ending in the circle of Willis.
Why is the Internal carotid artery clinically important?
Complete occlusion blinds and paralyses the same-side hemisphere distribution (ipsilateral amaurosis with contralateral hemiplegia); cavernous-sinus injury in skull-base fracture creates a carotico-cavernous fistula with pulsating exophthalmos.
Source & license
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