The common carotid artery differs in length and origin between sides. The right originates from the innominate artery behind the sternoclavicular joint, while the left originates from the aortic arch. At the lower neck, the arteries are separated by the trachea, and at the upper neck the thyroid gland is between them. Each artery is contained in a sheath with the internal jugular vein and vagus nerve. The relations of the common carotid artery include muscles and structures like the esophagus and thyroid gland covering and surrounding it at different levels of the neck.