Characterization of the carotid and adjacent anatomy using non-contrast CT for biomechanical model development

The path of the carotid artery and its branches through the neck is characterized through an analysis of non-contrast computed tomography (CT) scans. The distance from the vessel wall of the carotid arteries to the skin and vertebral bodies are recorded from the level of the 2nd cervical vertebrae (C2) to the 6th cervical vertebrae (C6). A total of seven individuals were included in the study. The common carotid artery exhibited the closest average distance to the skin (23.5 +/- 6.9 mm) whereas the internal carotid artery exhibited the closest average distance to the vertebral body (7.36 +/- 3.8 mm, measured to the transverse process). This study provides morphological validation data towards the development of a regional-level finite element model of the neck and may also be used for the design of biomechanical experiments for the study of carotid artery injury.