Atherosclerosis of the carotid artery. Coloured ultrasound scan of the head and neck of a 52-year-old patient with a history of alcohol and tobacco abuse, showing narrowing (stenosis) of the carotid sinus of the carotid artery caused by a build up of fatty plaques. Here, this condition, known as atherosclerosis, has led to arterial hypertension (high blood pressure).