The internal carotid artery enters the skull through the carotid canal. Which branch does it give off in the neck?
- A Superior thyroid artery
- B Ascending pharyngeal artery
- C None; it is branchless in the neck ✓
- D Facial artery
Correct answer: C. None; it is branchless in the neck
Explanation
The internal carotid artery is notable for giving no branches in the neck. It enters the carotid canal, passes through the petrous temporal bone, and gives off branches only intracranially (ophthalmic artery being the first). The superior thyroid, ascending pharyngeal, and facial arteries are all branches of the external carotid artery.
Reference: Gray's Anatomy, 42nd ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.