The carotid arteries are two large blood vessels located toward the front of the neck that carry blood to the brain. Blood reaches the carotid arteries by traveling from the heart and passing through a large artery called the aorta. Then the blood moves through the carotid arteries to the brain.he carotid arteries are the main arteries on either side of your neck that supply the head and neck with oxygenated blood. You have two carotid arteries, one on the left side of your neck and one on the right side.