Atherosclerosis of internal carotid artery
The build-up of plaque in the internal carotid artery may lead
to narrowing and irregularity of the artery's lumen, preventing
proper blood flow to the brain. More commonly, as the narrowing
worsens, pieces of plaque in the internal carotid artery can break
free, travel to the brain, and block blood vessels that supply
blood to the brain. This leads to stroke, with possible paralysis
or other deficits.
Review Date: 9/25/2008
Reviewed By: Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of
Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology,
Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD,
MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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