Carotid tubercle

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The carotid tubercle is a commonly used term referring to the paired anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of the sixth cervical vertebrae . The carotid tubercle serves as an important landmark with respect to performing regional anesthesia such as a brachial plexus and cervical plexus block. It can also serve as a marker to determine an appropriate surgical incision site when performing anterior cervical surgery .

Gross anatomy

The carotid tubercle separates the common carotid artery from the vertebral artery and it forms the apex of the colliscalene triangle.

Attachments
Musculotendinous
  • site of insertion of the lower fibers (inferior oblique portion) of the longus colli muscle (in addition to the anterior tubercles of the transverse process of C5)
  • scalenus anterior muscle also originates from the carotid tubercles (in addition to the anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of C3-C5)
  • longus capitis originates from the carotid tubercles (in addition to the anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of C3-C5)

History and anatomy

The carotid tubercle is also known as the Chassaignac tubercle, named after the French physician Edouard Chassaignac.