The carotid triangle is a triangular structure with the base pointing upward and the tip pointing downward that is located anteriorly and superiorly on the side of the neck. It is located between the anterior border of the superior portion of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the superior belly of the levator scapulae muscle, and the posterior belly of the diastasis muscle.
The carotid triangle has a superficial surface, a deep surface, and a medial surface. The superficial surface is dominated by the skin, superficial fascia, vastus cervicis muscle, and superficial cervical fascia; the deep surface is dominated by the prevertebral fascia; and the medial surface refers to the lateral pharyngeal wall and its fascia. The carotid triangle is lined by the internal jugular vein, common carotid artery, internal carotid artery, external carotid artery, carotid sinus, as well as the vagus nerve, parasympathetic nerve, hypoglossal nerve, cervical collaterals, and deep cervical lymph nodes.
Because the carotid triangle contains very important vascular nerves, the anatomical location is very important.