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AnatomyHead and neckSkullCarotid canal
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AnatomyHead and neckSkullCarotid canal

Carotid canal

Author: Danijel Tosovic, PhD • Reviewer: Dimitrios Mytilinaios, MD, PhD
Last reviewed: February 12, 2024
Reading time: 1 minute

Recommended video: Inferior view of the base of the skull [23:24]
Structures seen on the inferior view of the base of the skull.
Carotid canal
Canalis caroticus
1/5
Synonyms: none

The carotid canal is a passageway in the petrous part of the temporal bone of the skull. Its large, circular external (inferior) opening is known as the carotid foramen, which lies immediately anterior to the jugular foramen. From a superior view of the base of the skull, the internal (superior) opening of the carotid canal lies immediately posterolateral to the foramen lacerum. The carotid canal is approximately 2cm long and opens into the middle cranial fossa. 

The carotid canal transmits the internal carotid artery, as well as the internal carotid venous plexus and the internal carotid plexus.

Teminology English: Carotid canal
Latin: Canalis caroticus
Location Petrous part of the temporal bone
Function Passageway for internal carotid artery, internal carotid venous plexus and internal carotid plexus.

Learn more about the foramina of the skull as seen from the inferior view with this study unit: 

Inferior view of the skull Explore study unit

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. (2017). Clinically oriented anatomy (8th ed.). Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

Standring, S., Anand, N., & Tunstall, R. (2021). Gray's anatomy: the anatomical basis of clinical practice (Forty-second edition). Elsevier.

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