Carotid artery dissection
Human disease / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Carotid artery dissection is a separation of the layers of the artery wall in the carotid arteries supplying oxygen-bearing blood to the head. It is the most common cause of stroke in younger adults.[1] The term 'cervical artery dissection' should also be considered in the context of this article.[2]
The carotid arteries are a pair of large bore arteries in the neck, they further divide into smaller vessels, the external and internal carotids on both the right and left side of the head/neck.[3] Carotid arterial dissections occur when a tear or rip in the layers of the carotid arterial wall allows blood to flow between the layers of the artery. Artery dissection is not unique to the carotid artery system and can happen in numerous arteries in the body.
Blood within the walls of a dissected artery can compromise the flow of blood, leading to a slowing of oxygenated blood flow to the brain, complete blockage, or clot creation inducing a full blown stroke.[4]
Dissection may occur after direct physical trauma, traffic collision, strangulation, or any phenomenon that causes hyperextension of the neck. They can also happen spontaneously.[5][6]