Anatomical variations of the carotid arteries in adult Kenyans.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the topography and anatomical variations of the carotid arteries among Kenyans.


METHODS
A descriptive cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Department of Human Anatomy, University of Nairobi.


METHODS
Eighty carotid arteries of forty cadavers were dissected.


RESULTS
The bifurcation of the commonest carotid artery was high (above the reference points) in 63.8% of vessels and the external carotid was antero-lateral to the internal carotid artery in 30% of the vessels. A linguo-facial trunk was the most common variation of the external carotid artery. The origin of the right common carotid artery was high and low in 10% and 2.6% of vessels respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The carotid arteries show important variability and thus emphasise caution for clinicians during surgical procedures in the neck.
Anangwe
D
D
Department of Human Anatomy, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
Saidi
H
H
Ogeng'o
J
J
Awori
K O
KO
D000328:Adult; D002102:Cadaver; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000098:blood supply; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology