A Carotid Artery Dissection refers to a condition where there is a tear in the inner lining of the carotid artery, one of the major blood vessels in the neck that supplies blood to the brain. This tear can lead to the formation of a blood clot, which can partially or completely block the artery, disrupting blood flow to the brain.
Carotid Artery Dissection is also known by several other names, including:
- Carotid Artery Tear: This term highlights the primary characteristic of the condition, which is the tearing of the artery's inner lining.
- Carotid Artery Rupture: This term emphasizes the potential severity of the tear, as it can result in a complete rupture of the artery.
- Internal Carotid Artery Dissection: This name specifies that the dissection occurs in the internal carotid artery, which is the main branch of the carotid artery responsible for supplying blood to the brain.
- Extracranial Carotid Artery Dissection: This term indicates that the dissection occurs outside the skull, in the portion of the carotid artery located in the neck.
- Spontaneous Carotid Artery Dissection: This name suggests that the tear occurs without any apparent external cause or trauma.
It is important to note that while these terms are used interchangeably, they all refer to the same medical condition involving the tearing of the carotid artery's inner lining and the subsequent formation of a blood clot.