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Carotid Artery

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.

Last Revised: January 7, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Richard D. Zorowitz, MD - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

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