[2][non-primary source needed] The carotid canal opens into the middle cranial fossa, at the petrous part of the temporal bone.

[2][non-primary source needed] The external opening of carotid canal (Latin: "apertura externa canalis carotici") is located upon the inferior aspect of the petrous part of the temporal bone.

It is situated anterior to the jugular fossa (the two being separated by a ridge upon which the tympanic canaliculus opens inferiorly),[3] and posterolateral to the foramen lacerum.

[8] They have several motor functions: raise the eyelid (superior tarsal muscle), dilate pupil (pupillary dilator muscle), innervate sweat glands of face and scalp and constricts blood vessels in the head.

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 143 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)