Common carotid artery vertebral artery. The common carotid artery is often used in measuring the pulse,{ especially in patients who are in shock and who lack a detectable pulse in the more peripheral arteries of the body. The pulse is taken by palpating the artery just deep to the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle at the level of the superior border of the thyroid cartilage. Presence of a carotid pulse has been estimated to indicate a systolic blood pressure of more than 40 mmHg, as given by the 50% percentile. Carotidynia is a syndrome marked by soreness of the carotid artery near
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