Carotid arterial tree and prevertebral compartment.  The head and cervical visceral compartment have been removed to expose the anterior cervical spine and prevertebral musculature, including the longus colli and capitis muscles. The internal jugular vein is intact on the specimen's right side and receives the common facial and superior thyroid veins. Bilaterally, the common carotid arteries bifurcate at about the C4 level into internal and external branches. The internal carotid ascends in the neck and gives rise to no branches before entering the carotid canal. The external carotid artery arises medial to the internal carotid and gives rise to several branches. Those shown here include the superior thyroid, lingual, facial, and ascending pharyngeal arteries. (Image courtesy of PA Rubino)