Beginner Common Carotid Artery Quiz

Q1. From which artery does the right common carotid artery arise?

• Ascending aorta
• Right subclavian artery
• Aortic arch directly
• Brachiocephalic trunk

Q2. From which major vessel does the left common carotid artery arise?

• Pulmonary trunk
• Arch of the aorta
• Left subclavian artery
• Brachiocephalic trunk

Q3. Into which two arteries does the common carotid artery divide?

• Superior and inferior thyroid arteries
• Vertebral and subclavian arteries
• Facial and lingual arteries
• Internal and external carotid arteries

Q4. At approximately what vertebral level does the common carotid artery usually bifurcate?

• C7
• C4
• C1
• T4

Q5. Which fascial compartment encloses the common carotid artery in the neck?

• Parotid fascia
• Pretracheal visceral compartment only
• Investing fascia around trapezius
• Carotid sheath

Q6. Which large vein lies lateral to the common carotid artery in the carotid sheath?

• Internal jugular vein
• External jugular vein
• Anterior jugular vein
• Facial vein

Q7. Which cranial nerve descends within the carotid sheath between and posterior to the artery and vein?

• Vagus nerve
• Accessory nerve
• Facial nerve
• Hypoglossal nerve

Q8. Does the common carotid artery usually give off branches in the neck before its bifurcation?

• Yes, it always gives the vertebral artery
• Yes, it normally gives all eight external carotid branches
• No, it usually has no cervical branches
• Yes, it normally gives the facial artery

Q9. Where can the common carotid pulse be palpated in the neck?

• Carotid triangle
• Submental triangle
• Occipital triangle only
• Floor of the mouth

Q10. What specialized dilation is found near the beginning of the internal carotid artery at the carotid bifurcation?

• Sigmoid sinus
• Carotid sinus
• Coronary sinus
• Cavernous sinus