carotid

American  

[kuh-rot-id] / kəˈrɒt ɪd /

noun

1. Also called carotid artery. either of the two large arteries, one on each side of the head, that carry blood to the head and that divide into an external branch supplying the neck, face, and other external parts, and an internal branch supplying the brain, eye, and other internal parts.

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adjective

1. pertaining to a carotid artery.

carotid British  

/ kəˈrɒtɪd /

noun

1. either one of the two principal arteries that supply blood to the head and neck

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adjective

1. of or relating to either of these arteries

Other Word Forms

• carotidal
  adjective
• intercarotid
  adjective
• postcarotid
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of carotid

1660–70; < Greek karōtídes neck arteries, equivalent to karōt ( ikós ) soporific ( kár ( os ) stupor + -ōtikos -otic ) + -ides -id ¹; so called by Galen, who found that their compression causes stupor

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Explanation

The adjective carotid relates to the two major arteries that send blood to your head and neck. The carotid arteries are very important to staying conscious and alive. Take care of your carotid arteries! This word is used almost exclusively for the carotid arteries. Those large arteries are vitally important, because they supply blood to your head and neck areas. If the carotid arteries are blocked, you will lose consciousness. If the carotid arteries are severed, you could bleed to death quickly. The root is from a Greek verb meaning stupefy, which makes sense given the stupefying feeling you will get if there's a problem with one of your carotid arteries.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

carotid

Barbabella also said an ultrasound of the carotid arteries showed normal results without providing specific metrics.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 31, 2026

These signals come from the carotid bodies, small clusters of cells in the neck near the carotid artery that monitor oxygen levels in the blood.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 22, 2026

When DHS issued restrictions on chokeholds and carotid restraints, it stated that the moves “must not be used as a means to control non-compliant subjects or persons resisting arrest.”

From Salon ● Jan. 14, 2026

It involves threading a catheter through the thigh’s femoral artery, behind the heart through the carotid artery and into the skull.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 6, 2025

She pressed her fingers to the woman’s carotid artery, just beneath her ear.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

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