BIFURCATION LEVELS OF THE COMMON CAROTID ARTERIES: A CADAVERIC STUDY IN SOUTH INDIAN POPULATION

Background and aim: The present study aims at finding the bifurcation level of common carotid artery and correlate it with the level of upper border of thyroid cartilage. Materials and Methods: Forty cadavers were dissected to study the bifurcation level of common carotid artery. The symmetry between the sides were noted. Results: The level of bifurcation of the common carotid artery was at the level of upper border of thyroid cartilage in sixty-seven cases .Only nine cases showed the higher level with the range of 3.2 mm to 19.3 mm above the level of upper border of thyroid cartilage.4 cases showed the lower level of bifurcation in the range of 2 mm to 10 mm below the level of upper border of thyroid cartilage. In the present study, the bifurcation levels were symmetrical on both sides. Conclusion: The bifurcation level of common carotid artery coincides with the upper border of thyroid cartilage in the present study. The awareness in the variation of bifurcation level is necessary to avoid undue complications during the surgeries and procedures done in head and neck region.