Which artery receives the majority of blood flow from the Common Carotid Artery (CCA)?

The Common Carotid Artery (CCA) typically bifurcates into two primary branches: the Internal Carotid Artery (ICA) and the External Carotid Artery (ECA). The ICA is primarily responsible for supplying blood to the brain, while the ECA supplies blood to the face and neck. In adults, the Internal Carotid Artery generally receives the majority of the blood flow from the CCA due to its larger diameter and the distribution of flow dynamics favoring the vessel that leads to the high-demand structure of the brain.

The anatomical structure of the carotid arteries is designed to optimize blood flow to the regions most critical to maintaining central functions, making it essential for the ICA to receive a significant portion of blood flow from the CCA. This distribution is critical for delivering sufficient oxygen and nutrients to the brain, which is highly sensitive to changes in blood supply.

In contrast, other arteries listed in the options do not receive blood flow directly from the CCA. The External Carotid Artery, while a branch of the CCA, does not receive the majority of the flow, as part of the blood does still travel through it, but it is not the dominant pathway. The Internal Iliac Ar