<P> The common carotid artery is often used in measuring the pulse, especially in patients who are in shock and who lack a detectable pulse in the more peripheral arteries of the body . The pulse is taken by palpating the artery just deep to the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle at the level of the superior border of the thyroid cartilage . </P> <P> Presence of a carotid pulse has been estimated to indicate a systolic blood pressure of more than 40 mmHg, as given by the 50% percentile . </P> <P> Carotidynia is a syndrome marked by soreness of the carotid artery near the bifurcation . </P> <P> Carotid stenosis may occur in patients with atherosclerosis . </P>

Where are carotid arteries located in the neck