Ca*rot"id (?), n. [Gr. &?;, pl., from &?; heavy sleep: cf. F. carotide. The early Greeks believed that these arteries in some way caused drowsiness.] (Anat.) One of the two main arteries of the neck, by which blood is conveyed from the aorta to the head. [See Illust. of Aorta.]

{ Ca*rot"id (?), Ca*rot"id*al (?), } a. (Anat.) Pertaining to, or near, the carotids or one of them; as, the carotid gland.