Correct Answer - B

The common carotid arteries bifurcate at the level of the thyroid cartilage into the external and internal carotid arteries. The external carotid artery sends branches to the neck and face, whereas the internal carotid artery ascends to the base of the skull, entering the carotid canal. Upon exiting the carotid canal, the internal carotid artery courses horizontally over the foramen lacerum and enters the cavernous sinus and, after turning superiorly, divides into its terminal branches.

Internal carotid artery

It is the main artery supplying structures inside the cranial cavity and orbit. It is divided into 4 parts :?

* Cervical part :- It extends from upper border of thyroid cartilage to the base of skull. This part gives no branch.

Petrous part : - It lies in bony carotid canal in the petrous temporal bone. It gives two branches (i)Caroticotympanic, and (ii) pterygoid. * Cavernous part :- It runs through the medial wall of cavernous sinus. It gives three branches: (i) Meningeal branch, (ii) hypophyseal branch and (iii) cavernous branch.

* Cerebral part :- It is related to inferior surface of cerebrum. It gives

following branches: (i) Ophthalmic artery, (ii) posterior communicating artery, (iii) anterior choroidal artery, (iv) anterior cerebral artery and (v) middle cerebral artery.