Question

Bifurcation of common carotid artery is palpated at?

• A. Upper border of cricoid cartilage
• B. Upper border of thyroid cartilage
• C. Hyoid bone
• D. Cricothyroid membrane

Hint:

The carotid bifurcation lies at C4, the level of the upper border of the thyroid cartilage.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Recall the course of the common carotid artery. It ascends in the carotid sheath and divides into the internal and external carotid arteries.
Step 2: Locate the level of division. The bifurcation lies at the level of the upper border of the thyroid cartilage, which corresponds to the C4 vertebral level.
Step 3: Relate to surface landmarks. The upper border of the thyroid cartilage is a readily palpable surface landmark, so the bifurcation and the carotid sinus can be palpated there.
Step 4: Eliminate the others. The cricoid cartilage (C6) marks the level of the larynx becoming the trachea and pharynx becoming the oesophagus, not the carotid bifurcation. The hyoid bone lies at C3, above the bifurcation. The cricothyroid membrane is the site for emergency cricothyroidotomy, not the carotid division.
Step 5: Conclusion. The bifurcation is palpated at the upper border of the thyroid cartilage.
Hence the correct answer is option B.