Vessel
Internal carotid artery
Main artery to the brain
High-yield
Gives no branches in the neck; supplies the anterior brain and the eye (ophthalmic artery). Major source of embolic (anterior circulation) stroke.
Overview
A terminal branch of the common carotid that enters the skull through the carotid canal to supply the brain and eye, contributing to the circle of Willis.
Reference facts
- Type
Elastic/muscular artery
- Origin
Common carotid artery
- Branches / tributaries
Ophthalmic artery; Anterior cerebral artery; Middle cerebral artery; Posterior communicating artery
- Supplies
Anterior cerebral circulation and the eye
- Course
Ascends without branching in the neck, enters the carotid canal, traverses the cavernous sinus, and enters the cranial cavity