At the level of the neck, the proximal part of the ICA usually presents a vertical course and a strict relationship with the internal jugular vein (IJV) and the vagus nerve. Usually, the carotid bifurcation is localized at the level of the upper border of the thyroid cartilage. Close to this, it is possible to visualize the carotid sinus, a localized area of dilation, and the carotid body (glomus caroticum). The last is appreciable on the posteromedial wall of the carotid bifurcation. Above the bifurcation, the ICAp (parapharyngeal portion of the ICA) ascends under the sternocleidomastoid muscle. This portion of the vessel presents, on its lateral surface, a critical relationship with the hypoglossal nerve, which courses along the inferior border of the posterior belly of the digastric muscle and goes toward the tongue. Above this level, the ICAp is crossed by the occipital artery (Janfaza and Fabian 2001a, b). More inferiorly, the ansa hypoglossi runs on the anterolateral surface of the CCA. The vagus nerve is placed deep between the CCA/ICA and the IJV, and it is enclosed in the carotid sheath while the accessory nerve runs beneath the most posterior aspect of the posterior belly of the digastric muscle, in 2/3 of the cases over the IJV and in 1/3 below, moving posteriorly and inferiorly toward the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (Janfaza and Fabian 2001a, b). In more than 80 %, it passes through the sternocleidomastoid muscle (Janfaza and Fabian 2001a, b). Anteriorly to the ICA, the superior laryngeal nerve can be visualized. In more detail, the nerve can be identified in between the external carotid artery (ECA), stylohyoid muscle, and the superior thyroid artery, with which it usually maintains a close relationship. On its medial surface, the ICAp presents a close relationship with the superior constrictor muscle and to some extent to the tonsillar fossa.

Cranial to the posterior belly of the digastric muscle, the ICA is covered and separated from the ECA by the styloid apparatus. The ECA is located anterolaterally to the ICA. With a lateral perspective, the stylohyoid muscle is the first muscle encountered; the stylopharyngeus muscle is the most medial. The styloglossus lies in between and anterior to the other two muscles. Below the inferior part of the styloid process, the glossopharyngeal nerve can be visualized. It lies medial to the styloid process and lateral and in close proximity to the stylopharyngeus muscle. The nerve courses in a posterior-to-anterior direction, first posterior to the stylopharyngeus muscle and then lateral and anterior to it. At the end, it runs medially, innervating the pharyngeal wall muscles. Usually, the glossopharyngeal nerve is accompanied by the pharyngeal branch(es) from the vagus nerve. The glossopharyngeal nerve can be identified in a triangle given by the styloglossus/stylopharyngeus, the ECA, and the facial artery (Cavalcanti et al. 2010). At this level, the ICA is “covered” by a thick fascia, stylopharyngeal aponeurosis, connecting the posteromedial surface of the styloid process to the pharyngeal recess (Rhoton 2000). This fascia separates the carotid space (previously named the poststyloid compartment) from the prestyloid compartment, and belongs to the styloid diaphragm. More exactly, it represents its medial aspect. Anatomically speaking, the styloid diaphragm is given by the posterior belly of the digastric muscle, stylohyoid, stylopharyngeus, and stylopharygeal aponeurosis.

Posteriorly, the ICA presents a close relationship with the longus capitis muscle (in its lateral aspect), the superior sympathetic chain and ganglion, the vagus nerve, and to some extent the IJV. At this level (more or less C1), the “jugular” and hypoglossal nerves pass between the ICA and the IJV (Janfaza and Fabian 2001a, b). The superior cervical ganglion lies on the longus capitis muscle, medial to the vagus nerve and within a duplication of the prevertebral fascia, at the C2–3 level. After its exit from the jugular foramen (JF), the IJV initially lies on the rectus capitis lateralis muscle, crosses the transverse process of C1, and then presents an anterior and lateral position with respect to the transverse processes of the other vertebrae. Going inferiorly, it becomes lateral to the ICA/CCA and lies on the surface of the levator scapulae and middle and anterior scalene muscles. Superiorly and laterally, it is separated from the parotid gland by the stylopharyngeus muscle and the styloid process. The vagus nerve remains behind and somewhat between the vessels during its pathway. The accessory nerve runs inferiorly as the most posterior of the three nerves, crossing the IJV (in 2/3 of the cases, above the IJV). It presents a strict relationship with the transverse process of C1. The hypoglossal nerve, once it exits from its own foramen, comes in close relationship with the IX, X, and XI cranial nerves. It lies medial to the IJV and ICA and passes laterally and inferiorly, together with the sympathetic trunk, between the IJV and ICA. At the level of the transverse process of C1, it turns anteriorly on the lateral surface of the ICA, and then it curves around the occipital artery and runs first to the lateral and then to the anterior surface of the ECA. Inferiorly, it lies lateral to ICA and ECA and deep to the styloid process.

Anatomically speaking, the JF does not correspond to a single hole but is a canal given by the basioccipital bone (posteromedially) and the petrous bone (anterolaterally) (Rhoton 2003; Roche et al. 2008). Within the JF, three compartments can be described: a large posterolateral venous channel (sigmoid); a small anteromedial venous compartment (petrosal), which receives the drainage of the inferior petrosal sinus (IPS); and an intermediary neural compartment (intrajugular), located between the venous ones (Katsuta et al. 1997; Rhoton 2003).

The anterior or petrosal compartment is given by a small venous channel that receives the IPS. The relationship with the IPS is highly variable. This sinus drains into the anterior aspect of the jugular bulb in more than 90 % of cases (Roche et al. 2008); in less than 10 % of cases, it drains directly into the IJV. Sometimes, a poorly developed IPS has connection with the plexus of the hypoglossal canal (also named the anterior condylar vein), the petroclival vein, or the posterior condylar emissary vein. This last vein puts the vertebral venous plexus into communication with the jugular bulb (Roche et al. 2008).

The medial intrajugular compartment includes neural structures, venous channels, and arterial vessels. The glossopharyngeal nerve is separated from the vagus and accessory nerve by means of a dural fold (dural septum) and a venous channel. If the dural fold is ossificated it is called Hayek’s bridge. The glossopharyngeal nerve, when it exits through the JF, forms a superior and inferior ganglion. The inferior ganglion is placed in a small fossa, the fossula petrosa, placed between the carotid canal and the jugular foramen. Then, the nerve courses along the posteromedial aspect of the ICA; at the level of the skull base, it gives the Jacobson’s nerve, which enters its own canaliculus (canaliculus tympanicus) to reach the middle ear (Lang 1995; Osawa et al. 2008). Then, the nerve, after giving some anastomotic branches for cranial nerve X, runs on the lateral surface of the ICA and buries itself within the vagina carotica, coursing anteriorly and inferiorly to the vessel. At the level of the inferior ganglion, there are some twigs that anastomose with similar ones from the vagus nerve and from the sympathetic chain to form the ramus sinus carotici of Hering.

The vagus nerve enters the dura through the vagal meatus (Rhoton 2003), and it is immediately joined by the accessory nerve. Immediately lateral to the intrajugular process of the temporal bone, the superior ganglion lies. At this level, the vagus nerve branches off the Arnold nerve (auricular branch), which enters a mastoid canaliculus and goes toward the third part of the facial nerve. When the vagus nerve emerges from the superior ganglion, it passes posteriorly to the carotid sheath together with the accessory nerve. The inferior ganglion is located anterior to the transverse process of C1–C2. At this level, a small pharyngeal branch arises, which connects with the pharyngeal branch of cranial nerve IX. Below this, the superior laryngeal nerve arises.

The accessory nerve lies immediately lateral to the vagus nerve and presents a close relationship with it. It divides into 2 rami at the JF. The internal one (accessory ramus of the vagus nerve) joins the vagus nerve just below the JF, while the external one acts as the accessory nerve for trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscle. Both nerves (accessory and vagus) are posterior to the glossopharyngeal nerve. Below the JF, usually they are on the posteromedial wall of the IJV. Obviously, the nerve position can be different with respect to the IJV. In about 60 %, the nerve is anterior to the IJV; in the remaining cases, it is behind the IJV. Rarely, it can run through the connecting vein between the IPS and the IJV and then course dorsal to the styloid process.

The posterior compartment is occupied by a wide venous channel that drains the sigmoid sinus. It is mainly given by the superior jugular bulb, which is housed in the jugular fossa. Usually the posterior meningeal artery enters this space.

Anatomically speaking, the hypoglossal nerve does not belong to the JF, but given its close relationship, it is included in a description of the JF region. The exit point of the hypoglossal nerve is medial and below the JF. The nerve exits from the anterior condylar foramen and lies posterior to IX, X and XI cranial nerves and on the medial surface of the IJV. Then, it passes laterally between the IJV and the ICA (through the carotid sheath) (Janfaza et al. 2001). So, from an anatomic viewpoint, the hypoglossal nerve does not transverse the JF but joins the “jugular” nerves just below the skull. At the level of the transverse process of C1, it turns frontward, lying on the lateral surface of the ICA.