Which vessel carries blood to the head?

The carotid artery is the vessel responsible for carrying oxygenated blood from the heart to the head, specifically to the brain and facial structures. There are two main carotid arteries: the right and left carotid arteries, which branch from the aorta (the main artery of the body) and ascend on either side of the neck.

The carotid arteries play a crucial role in supplying the brain with blood, which is essential for its functions, including cognition and consciousness. As they ascend, they also give off branches that supply blood to the face and scalp.

In contrast, the jugular vein is responsible for draining deoxygenated blood from the head back to the heart, not supplying blood to it. The aorta is the primary artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body, including the carotid arteries, but it does not directly supply blood to the head itself. The subclavian artery primarily supplies blood to the upper limbs and some areas of the torso, but it does not carry blood directly to the head.