Carotid Artery and Physiology of Saliva

Common Carotid ArteryThe right common carotid artery originates in the neck from the brachiocephalic trunk immediately posterior to the right sternoclavicular joint and is entirely in the neck throughout the course. The left common carotid artery originates in the thorax as a direct branch of arch of aorta. It has two parts: thoracic (chest) and cervical(neck) part. The thoracic portion of the left common carotid artery ascends from the arch of the aorta through the superior mediastinum to the level of the left sternoclavicular joint where it is continuous with the cervical portion. Both the left and right common carotid arteries ascends through the neck just lateral to trachea and esophagus within the fascial compartment(carotid sheath). Physiology of Saliva Saliva is a clear watery complex fluid secreted by salivary glands the most common function of which is to maintain the well being of oral cavity. In humans saliva is 99.5⁠% water and 0.5% electrolyte mucin white blood cells epithelial cells.