Carotid canal
Encyclopedia
On the interior surface of the temporal bone
, behind the rough surface of the apex, is the large circular aperture of the carotid canal, which ascends at first vertically, and then, making a bend, runs horizontally forward and medialward.
, and the carotid plexus
of nerves.
Sympathetics to the head 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 head.
Temporal bone
The temporal bones are situated at the sides and base of the skull, and lateral to the temporal lobes of the cerebrum.The temporal bone supports that part of the face known as the temple.-Parts:The temporal bone consists of four parts:* Squama temporalis...
, behind the rough surface of the apex, is the large circular aperture of the carotid canal, which ascends at first vertically, and then, making a bend, runs horizontally forward and medialward.
Contents
It transmits into the cranium, the internal carotid arteryInternal carotid artery
In human anatomy, the internal carotid arteries are two major arteries, one on each side of the head and neck. They arise from the common carotid arteries where these bifurcate into the internal and external carotid artery, and they supply the brain....
, and the carotid plexus
Carotid plexus
Carotid plexus can refer to:* Common carotid plexus* Internal carotid plexus* External carotid plexus...
of nerves.
Sympathetics to the head also pass through the carotid canal. They have several motor functions: raise the eyelid
Eyelid
An eyelid is a thin fold of skin that covers and protects an eye. With the exception of the prepuce and the labia minora, it has the thinnest skin of the whole body. The levator palpebrae superioris muscle retracts the eyelid to "open" the eye. This can be either voluntarily or involuntarily...
(superior tarsal muscle
Superior tarsal muscle
The superior tarsal muscle is a smooth muscle adjoining the levator palpebrae superioris muscle that helps to raise the upper eyelid.-Structure:...
), dilate pupil
Pupil
The pupil is a hole located in the center of the iris of the eye that allows light to enter the retina. It appears black because most of the light entering the pupil is absorbed by the tissues inside the eye. In humans the pupil is round, but other species, such as some cats, have slit pupils. In...
, innervate sweat glands of face and scalp
Scalp
The scalp is the anatomical area bordered by the face anteriorly and the neck to the sides and posteriorly.-Layers:It is usually described as having five layers, which can conveniently be remembered as a mnemonic:...
and constricts blood vessels in head.
