Epidemiology and pathophysiology of neurovascular disease C Klonaris, A Papapetrou, and A Katsargyris

Historical background The great importance of carotid artery in cerebral blood perfusion was recognized by the ancient Greeks. The name “carotid” comes from the ancient Greek word “caroun” (‘καρου´ν’), which means “to plunge into deep sleep,” or “to stupefy,” because compression of these arteries is said to produce carus or stupor.