What is one structure that crosses the common carotid artery?

The inferior thyroid artery is a branch of the thyrocervical trunk, which arises from the subclavian artery. It typically runs in a superior direction to supply the thyroid gland, but in doing so, it crosses over the common carotid artery, particularly the external carotid artery as it ascends. This anatomical relationship is important in surgical practices, especially when accessing the neck for procedures involving the thyroid gland or carotid arteries.

The anterior belly of the omohyoid does not cross the common carotid artery. Instead, it lies deep to the sternocleidomastoid muscle, running from the scapula to the hyoid bone, and its path is more lateral to the artery.

The phrenic nerve, while located in the neck region and significant in innervating the diaphragm, does not cross over the common carotid artery as it primarily travels anteriorly to it.

The vagus nerve runs in the carotid sheath with the common carotid artery and the internal jugular vein but does not cross it in the way the inferior thyroid artery does; rather, it remains more posterior to both vessels.

Understanding these anatomical relationships is crucial in surgical practice to prevent injury to these structures during neck procedures.