Common carotid artery pharynx. Lateral to the artery, inside the carotid sheath with the common carotid, are the internal jugular vein and vagus nerve. At the lower part of the neck, on the right side of the body, the right recurrent laryngeal nerve crosses obliquely behind the artery; the right internal jugular vein diverges from the artery. On the left side, however, the left internal jugular vein approaches and often overlaps the lower part of the artery. Behind the angle of bifurcation of the common carotid artery is a reddish-brown oval body known as the carotid body. It is similar in structure to
Carotid triangle Carotid triangle The carotid triangle (or superior carotid triangle) is a portion of the anterior triangle of the neck. It is bounded: It is (covered) by the integument, superficial fascia, Platysma and deep fascia; Its floor is formed by parts of the -1 Thyrohyoid membrane, -2Hyoglossus, and the -3Constrictores pharyngis medius and inferior. The external and internal carotids lie side by side, the external being the more anterior of the two. The following branches of the external carotid are also met with in this space: The veins met with are: ...all of which end in the internal jugular vein Superficial