Carotid canal
| Carotid canal | |
|---|---|
 Left temporal bone. Inferior surface. ("Opening of carotid canal" labeled at center left.) | |
| Details | |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | canalis caroticus |
| TA | A02.1.06.013 |
| FMA | 55805 |
| Anatomical terms of bone | |
The carotid canal is the passageway in the temporal bone through which the internal carotid artery enters the middle cranial fossa from the neck. The canal starts on the inferior surface of the temporal bone at the external opening of the carotid canal (also referred to as the carotid foramen). The canal ascends at first superiorly, and then, making a bend, runs anteromedially. The canal's internal opening is near the foramen lacerum, above which the internal carotid artery passes on its way anteriorly to the cavernous sinus.
Contents
The carotid canal allows the internal carotid artery to pass into the cranium, as well as the carotid plexus of nerves traveling on the artery.
Sympathetics to the head from the superior cervical ganglion also pass through the carotid canal. They have several motor functions: raise the eyelid (superior tarsal muscle), dilate pupil, innervate sweat glands of face and scalp and constricts blood vessels in the head.
Additional images
Horizontal section of nasal and orbital cavities.
Coronal section of right temporal bone.
Carotid canal.
References
This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 143 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)
External links
- Atlas image: n3a8p1 at the University of Michigan Health System
- "Anatomy diagram: 34257.000-1". Roche Lexicon - illustrated navigator. Elsevier. Archived from the original on 2014-01-01.
- Photo at Winona.edu
