Writing a vampire book, 1; what side of neck is carotid artery?, 2; can you bleed out from a cut there? Help!?

Question

I'm in the middle of writing a vampire book (not the usual kind), but need a little medical information. I'm stuck right now, and really need the answers! First; on what side of the neck is the carotid artery. Second; would a person bleed to death from a severe cut to it. Third; would the jugular vein be better? And if so, where is it located. Also, if you can provide links with good drawings of the carotid artery, and jugular vein, it would be appreciated. This is a serious inquiry for a book that I really am writing, and I would appreciate serious replies. And soon as I am stuck on just where the girl in my story should get bit. Please help! Thanks in advance. :)

Answer 1

THE CAROTID ARTERY IS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE NECK

Answer 2

The common carotid artery is a paired structure meaning that there are 2 of them, one for each half. The left common carotid artery can be thought of as having two parts: a thoracic (chest) part and a cervical (neck) part. The right common carotid originates in or close to the neck, so it lacks a thoracic portion.

Any injured artery could cause a person to bleed to death, so yes, a person could bleed to death from a severe cut to the carotid artery.

The jugular vein would also be a location that would cause a person to bleed to death.

There are two sets of jugular veins: external and internal.

The internal jugular vein is formed by the anastomosis of blood from the sigmoid sinus of the dura mater and the common facial vein. The internal jugular runs with the common carotid artery and vagus nerve inside the carotid sheath. It provides venous drainage for the contents of the skull.
The external jugular runs superficially to sternocleidomastoid.
Both connect to the brachocephalic veins, the external jugular joining more laterally than the internal. The brachicephalic veins then join the subclavian veins from both sides then join to form the superior vena cava.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Right and left Carotid Arteries and serious injury to either would cause death in only a few minutes. The jugular veins are very deep in the neck. Even Vampire teeth couldn't bite them. Any Anatomy book. Look for Circulatory System of Head and Neck.

Answer 4

the carotid artery is on both sides of the neck and yes you can bleed out from a good cut in the carotid. it is the main artery that leads to the brain/head. the jugular vein is right next to each carotid artery on the side of the neck. you can die if either the vein or the artery were cut. the artery is more gruesome though b/c it squirts blood. the blood in the arteries comes pumped out from the heart. the veins are blood leading back to the lungs for oxygen, so it is more bluish and doesn't pump as much. you can go to any medical anatomy site for good drawings. good luck. :)

Answer 5

You have a carotid artery on both sides of your neck. Here's a picture....

http://www.clevelandclinic.org/heartcenter/images/guide/disease/vascular/carotid1sm.jpg

Be careful about getting too technical in your book. It doesn't matter which artery it is as long as the story flows.

Writing books is tough. Good for you!

Answer 6

There are carotid arteries on both sides of the neck, right next to the 2 jugular veins. You bleed to death from either, but the artery if faster. It will pump but the vein will ooze.

Answer 7

1. Both
2. Yes, very, very quickly
3. The Carotid (artery) and Jugular (vein) run right next to each other. They would be equal for your purposes.

http://www.instantanatomy.net/headneck/vessels/artecnearjugularforamen.html

Answer 8

Lestermount

Answer 9

Maybe you can have them bitten on the ankle instead. That would be a "different" kind of vampire book.

We writing books or stories, you should still to subjects that you know well. good luck.