NEW RESEARCH – NEW RESULTS

Abstract

We conducted the study by means of modern and adequate morphological methods on 46 specimens of dead fetuses (aged 4-10 months) and 11 new born infants; we clarified some topographical and anatomical features of the common carotid arteries in human fetuses and new born infants. It was established, that in the perinatal life of the human ontogenesis, the common carotid artery in 48% of early fetuses (aged 4-5 months), in 76% of late fetuses and new born infants divides into the external and interna carotid arteries at the level of the hyoid bone. During the perinatal life the bifurcation of the common carotid artery shifts skeleton topically caudad by one cervical vertebra. The division of the common carotid artery to the internal and external carotid arteries is determined in two forms: parallel and bulb-like ones. The front joining of the superior laryngeal nerve to the site of bifurcation of the common carotid artery must be considered when performing surgery in the neck in infants and young children.