Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder in which plaque composed of lipids, cells, connective tissue and calcium is deposited in arteries throughout the body. Atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries--the large arteries in the neck supplying...
The arteries transport oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to the brain and a constant flow of blood is necessary for the health of the brain tissues and nerves. Information from California State University notes that the brain uses almost 20 percent...
Numerous arteries nourish the hair follicles and dermis layer of the scalp. The University of Michigan Medical School notes that the dense connective tissue of the scalp holds these arteries firmly in place; this causes the arteries to remain open...
The carotid artery functions to supply blood flow to the front of the brain. Branches supply other areas of the head, neck, face and spinal cord. Blockage in the carotid artery that supplies blood flow to the brain can cause stroke. Plaque can...
Two carotid arteries, one on each side of the neck, supply blood and oxygen to the brain. An area within each artery, called the carotid sinus, is sensitive to any change in blood pressure. The carotid body is an area of tissue near the carotid...
Blood flows through your brain constantly and carries the oxygen that you need to sustain a wide variety of automatic and conscious processes. When you exercise, your brain and body need extra oxygen, and your blood flow increases accordingly to...
The two cavernous sinuses are venous drainage areas on either side of the pituitary gland, at the base of the skull. Several cranial nerves and the internal carotid artery pass through the sinus. Thrombosis, or clotting, in the sinus can be caused...
Sinus surgery is most commonly performed to increase the size of the sinus openings into the nasal cavity to resolve chronic sinusitis. Surgeons typically utilize a functional endoscope, a slim fiber-optic instrument placed in the nose that...
Ptosis occurs when your eyelid droops, which occurs even though you have your eyes open wide. This might occur in one or both eyelids, and, in severe cases, your eyelid will hang over your pupil, disrupting your vision. Chiropractic care does not...
Sinus surgeons perform functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) in order to open up the sinus passages and relieve any built-up pressure and infection, according to the Mayo Clinic. It is a minimally invasive surgery in which fiber optic...
The common side effects of a stroke depend greatly on the location of the brain affected by the stroke. Side effects are not always immediately apparent with some manifesting weeks or months after the attack. Most effects are neurologic in nature,...
All tissues in the human body require oxygen to function properly. The circulatory system, which includes the heart, blood and blood vessels, deliver dissolved oxygen gas to the body through arteries. There are two main pairs of arteries that...
When you exercise, increased activity in your muscles triggers an increased need for oxygen-rich blood. To meet this vital need, your heart rate speeds up and blood flow to your body increases. Blood flow to your brain also increases, although the...
The carotid arteries are parallel blood vessels in both sides of the neck that supply blood to the head and brain. The internal carotid arteries run along the neck to the brain, while the external carotid arteries carry blood to the face. Diseases...
Located beneath the large muscles on either side of the neck, or the sternocleidomastoids, the carotid sheath, part of the cervical band of tissue, or fascia, encloses the carotid artery, the internal jugular vein and the vagus nerve. World...
Three main types of blood vessels make up the circulatory system that's powered by the pumping action of the heart: arteries, veins and capillaries. When freshly oxygenated blood leaves the heart, the arteries carry the oxygen and nutrients...
The carotid arteries supply highly oxygenated blood to the brain. The carotid arteries are made up of the internal and external carotid arteries, which are found on both sides of the head. In some cases tears develop in the walls of these...
The two carotid arteries--one on either side of the neck--carry blood from the heart to the brain. As with all arteries, the carotids are subject to the build-up of plaque, a fatty substance that sticks to the artery walls. If enough plaque builds...