Identify the highlighted vessel.
a. ascending aorta
b. left common carotid artery
c. left brachiocephalic vein
d. left pulmonary artery
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is b. Left common carotid artery.
Explanation:
The left common carotid artery is one of the major arteries that supplies oxygenated blood to the head and neck. It originates from the aortic arch, which is part of the systemic circulation that carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the body.
Anatomical Context:
- Aortic Arch Branches: The aortic arch gives rise to three major arteries:
- The brachiocephalic trunk, which further divides into the right common carotid artery and right subclavian artery.
- The left common carotid artery arises directly from the aortic arch as the second branch.
- The left subclavian artery, the third branch, supplies the left arm and part of the thoracic region.
The left common carotid artery ascends vertically along the left side of the neck and divides into two main branches:
- The internal carotid artery, which supplies the brain.
- The external carotid artery, which supplies the face, scalp, and other external structures.
Importance:
This vessel plays a crucial role in delivering oxygen and nutrients to vital structures in the head and neck. Its integrity is critical for normal brain function and the health of cranial tissues.
How to Differentiate:
- Ascending Aorta: This is the large vessel emerging from the left ventricle of the heart, carrying blood upward toward the aortic arch.
- Left Brachiocephalic Vein: A vein located anterior to the arteries, carrying deoxygenated blood to the superior vena cava.
- Left Pulmonary Artery: Part of the pulmonary circulation, carrying deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the left lung.
Identifying the left common carotid artery in imaging or anatomy involves noting its direct connection to the aortic arch and its vertical trajectory toward the neck.