The carotid artery is a major artery of the neck that supplies oxygenated blood to the head and neck. It is one of the two main arteries that supply blood to the brain, the other being the vertebral artery. The carotid artery is divided into two branches, the internal carotid artery and the external carotid artery. The internal carotid artery supplies oxygenated blood to the brain, while the external carotid artery supplies oxygenated blood to the face and neck.