protects the structures contained therein.

Anatomy

One carotid sheath is situated on each side of the neck, extending between the base of the skull superiorly and the thorax inferiorly.

Superiorly, the carotid sheath encircles the margins of the carotid canal and jugular foramen.

Inferiorly, it terminates at the arch of the aorta; it is continuous inferiorly with the axillary sheath