Structures of significance in the lateral neck are primarily vascular. The internal and external jugular veins and the common, internal, and external carotid arteries are all approached from the side. The internal and external jugular veins are primarily used for vascular access (Chapter 8), either by percutaneous puncture or by cutdown. Surgery for stroke prevention is performed on the carotid artery in the region of its bifurcation (Chapter 9).