COMMON CAROTID. 



445 



within outwards by the sterno-mastoid artery ; it is also crossed by the fascial, 

 lingual, and superior thyroid veins, which terminate in the internal jugular, 

 and descending on its sheath in front, is seen the descendens noni nerve, this 

 filament being joined with branches from the cervical nerves, which cross the 

 vessel from without inwards. Sometimes the descendens noui is contained 



Fig. 274. Surgical Anatomy of the Arteries of the Neck. Eight Side. 



within the sheath. The middle thyroid vein crosses the artery about its middle, 

 and the anterior jugular vein below. Behind, the artery lies in front of the 

 cervical portion of the spine, resting first an the Longus Colli muscle, then on 

 the Rectus Anticus Major, from which it is separated by the sympathetic nerve. 

 The recurrent laryngeal nerve and inferior thyroid artery cross behind the 

 vessel at its lower part. Internally, it is in relation with the trachea and 

 thyroid gland, the inferior thyroid artery and recurrent laryngeal nerve being 



