The carotid |artery| is one of the main supplies of ~blood~ to the |brain|. The name comes from the Greek word meaning to plunge into deep sleep. The arteries are thus named because pressure on them reduces the ~blood~ supply to the |brain| and may produce unconsciousness. The carotid |artery| is a large ~blood~ vessel that begins at the |heart| (at the |aorta|) and extends straight up through the neck. About an inch above the collar bone it branches into the external and internal carotid arteries. The carotid |artery| pulse can be felt just below the jaw bone.
