Carotid canal
The carotid canal is the passageway in the temporal bone through which the internal carotid artery enters the middle cranial fossa from the neck. The canal starts on the inferior surface of the temporal bone at the external opening of the carotid canal. The canal ascends at first superiorly, and then, making a bend, runs anteromedially. The canal's internal opening is near the foramen lacerum, above which the internal carotid artery passes on its way anteriorly to the cavernous sinus.Contents
The carotid canal allows the internal carotid artery to pass into the cranium, as well as the carotid plexus traveling on the artery.
The carotid plexus contains sympathetics to the head from the superior cervical ganglion They have several motor functions: raise the eyelid, dilate pupil, innervate sweat glands of face and scalp and constricts blood vessels in the head.Additional images
