Cervical artery dissection (original) (raw)

Cervical artery dissection is dissection of one of the layers that compose the carotid and vertebral artery in the neck (cervix). They include: * Carotid artery dissection, a separation of the layers of the artery wall supplying oxygen-bearing blood to the head and brain. * Vertebral artery dissection, a flap-like tear of the inner lining of the vertebral artery that supply blood to the brain and spinal cord. Cervical dissections can be broadly classified as either "spontaneous" or traumatic. Cervical artery dissections are a significant cause of strokes in young adults.