Introduction: The common carotid artery is an important artery of blood supply to head, neck and brain located in the carotid triangle. It is also the most important artery responsible for brain stroke. In this study we observed the branching level of common carotid artery and also whether it is bifurcation or trifurcation. Method: In the embalmed cadavers, after dissection of neck, we reached carotid sheath and carotid triangle. Carotid system was then identified along with the vagus nerve. Superior thyroid artery which is a branch of external carotid artery (mentioned in standard text books of anatomy) was also noted. Result: Bifurcation of carotid artery was found equally distributed at the level of body of hyoid bone (32%) and superior border of thyroid bone (32%). In 50% cases superior thyroid artery arose from bifurcation of carotid artery. Conclusion: Terminology of bifurcation of common carotid artery is now invalid in our findings too. It is better to say trifurcation of common carotid artery. Superior thyroid artery is commonly a branch of common carotid artery. Level of bifurcation is also variable, hyoid must be considered for localizing the level.

Keywords: Common Carotid Artery; Bifurcation of carotid artery; Superior thyroid Artery.