Position and Blood Supply of the Carotid Body in a Kenyan Population
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Date
2011Author
Malek, Adel A
Ogeng'o, Julius A
Mandela, Pamella
Hassanali, Jameela
Muthoka, Johnstone M
Type
ArticleLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Position and source of blood supply to the human carotid body displays population variations. These data are
important during surgical procedures and diagnostic imaging in the neck but are only scarcely reported and altogether missing for the
Kenyan population. The aim of this study was to describe the position and blood supply of the carotid body in a Kenyan populati
on. A
descriptive cross-sectional study at the Department of Human Anatomy, University of Nairobi, was designed. 136 common carotid
arteries and their bifurcations were exposed by gross dissection. The carotid body was identified as a small oval structure embedded in
the blood vessel adventitia. Position and source of blood supply were photographed. Data are presented by tables and macrographs. 138
carotid bodies were identified. Commonest position was carotid bifurcation (75.4%) followed by external carotid artery (10.2%), internal
carotid artery (7.2%) and ascending pharyngeal artery (7.2%). Sources of arterial blood supply included the carotid bifurcation (51.4%),
ascending pharyngeal (21.0%), external carotid (17.4%) and internal carotid (10.2%) arteries. Position and blood supply of the carotid
body in the Kenyan population displays a different profile of variations from those described in other populations. Neck surgeons should
be aware of these to avoid inadvertent injury.
Citation
Int. J. Morphol., 29(1) :65-68, 2011.Publisher
University of Nairobi Department of Human Anatomy
Collections
- Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) [10377]