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Glite Dictionary
carotid artery

carotid artery

15 3.8
A large blood vessel in the neck that carries blood to the head and brain
  • noun
  • /kəˈrɒtɪd ˈɑːrteri/
  • Specialized
translation icon : arteria carótida
  • The patient is seated OK, and they have a carotid artery on the left side and a carotid artery on their right side.
  • the internal carotid artery
  • the external carotid artery
  • the common carotid artery

Examples

  • During a cluster headache, the internal carotid artery floods with blood, exacerbating the intense pain.

    Academic text (2011)

  • Consequently, persons with carotid artery plaques are at increased risk for myocardial infarction.

    Academic text (2012)

  • I just checked his carotid artery.

    The Ladykillers (2004)

  • I'll just check the carotid artery.

    The Ladykillers (2004)

  • The internal and common carotid arteries were clamped while talking to the patient.

    Academic text (2007)

  • It's usually caused by a blockage in the carotid artery... that supplies blood to the brain.

    Beau Jest (2008)

  • Proximal and distal control of the carotid artery was established, and a suture repair of the vessel was attempted.

    Academic text (2009)

  • Patients can experience catastrophic complications, including carotid artery rupture, mycotic aneurysms, and cavernous sinus thrombosis.

    Academic text (2008)

  • The doctor pressed on the patient's neck to check the carotid artery for a pulse.

  • During the procedure, the surgeon carefully examined the carotid artery for any signs of blockage.

Synonyms

common carotid artery
vscarotid artery
  • Specialized
1 3.3

A large blood vessel on each side of the neck that carries blood to the head and brain

focuses on originating from the main chest vessel rather than the split
arteria carotis
vscarotid artery
  • Specialized
6.0

A large blood vessel in the neck that carries blood to the head and brain

is the common English term rather than a Latin name

Surface Forms

carotid artery singular
carotid arteries plural

Morphology

carotid + artery

The meaning is directly compositional: 'carotid' is an adjectival label specifying which artery, and 'artery' denotes a blood vessel, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer it refers to the (neck) artery supplying the head. The construction follows standard anatomical naming patterns and has transparent cognates in many languages, supporting immediate comprehension.

Etymology

The noun carotid artery may come from an old Greek word that meant 'to stun' because pressing the large neck vessel called the carotid can make someone faint. Because these arteries carry blood to the head, the name links the place in the neck with that 'stun' effect.