Word
carotid
US/kɝˈɑtɪd/
UK/kəɹˈɒtɪd/
Definitions
01relating to the neck arteries
adj. relating to the two large arteries in the neck that carry blood to the head.
adj. pertaining to the carotid arteries, which are the primary vessels supplying oxygenated blood to the brain and face.
“The doctor checked the patient's carotid pulse on the side of the neck.”
“The surgeon performed a delicate procedure to clear a blockage in the carotid artery and reduce the risk of a stroke.”
Technical
Usage
Usually placed before a noun like 'artery', 'pulse', or 'sinus'.
Teaching tip
This is a highly specialized anatomical term; learners will mostly encounter it in medical contexts or news reports about health.
02the carotid artery
n. one of the two main arteries in the neck.
n. either of the two major arteries in the neck that bifurcate into internal and external branches.
“The carotid carries blood from the heart up to the brain.”
“The internal carotid provides the primary blood supply to the cerebral hemispheres, making its health vital for cognitive function.”
Technical
Usage
Often used with the definite article 'the'.
Teaching tip
In casual medical talk, 'the carotid' is often used as a shorthand for 'the carotid artery'.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Crucially it sits very close to the carotid arteries which are vital vessels that supply blood to the brain, and the optic nerves that control vision.” Etymology
Borrowed from French carotide or New Latin carōtides, from Ancient Greek κᾰρωτῐ́δες (kărōtĭ́des, “carotid arteries”), from κᾰρόω (kăróō, “to plunge into deep sleep or torpor”) + -τῐ́δες (-tĭ́des, plural nominal suffix), from the fact that the carotid artery supplies blood to the brain, and interruption of this flow causes loss of consciousness.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/carotid