Carotid endarterectomy
（重定向自Carotid endarterectomies）
![The carotid artery is the large vertical artery in red. The blood supply to the common carotid artery starts at the arch of the aorta (left) or the subclavian artery (right). The common carotid artery divides into the internal carotid artery and the external carotid artery. Plaque often builds up at that division, and a carotid endarterectomy cuts open the artery and removes the plaque.](/Images/godic/202501/03/Gray5130256.png")
![Carotid endarterectomy specimen. The specimen is removed from within the lumen of the common carotid artery (bottom), and the internal carotid artery (left) and external carotid artery (right).](/Images/godic/202501/03/Carotid_Plaque0256.jpg")
![Illustration depicting a Carotid Endarterectomy](/Images/godic/202501/03/Blausen_0172_CarotidEndarterectomy0256.png")
Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is a surgical procedure used to reduce the risk of stroke, by correcting stenosis (narrowing) in the common carotid artery or internal carotid artery. Endarterectomy is the removal of material on the inside (end(o)-) of an artery.