Aim To study the relationship between carotid atherosclerotic plaques and transient ischemic attack(TIA).Methods 84 cases with internal carotid artery TIA were tested by doppler ultrasound technology in extracranial carotid artery.The testing analysis indicators are distribution,narrow degree and the ultrasonic parting of extracranial carotid atherosclerotic plaques.And comparing and studying the symptoms side to asymptomatic lateral.Results The soft spot was the most frequent,followed by mixing spot and ulcer spot in TIA patients with extracranial carotid atherosclerotic plaques,and the differences were significant(P<0.01).There was no obvious difference in hard spot and flat spot.The incidence in Asymptomatic lateral patches(60.34%) was obviously higher than symptomatic lateral patches(39.66%),and the difference was significant(P<0.01).The moderate or above narrow incidence in Asymptomatic lateral extracranial carotid artery(29.31%) was obviously higher than symptomatic side(6.70%),and the differences were significant(P<0.01).Conclusions Extracranial carotid atherosclerosis is a significant risk factor in TIA patients.There is important reference value to evaluate extracranial carotid atherosclerosis severity and causes in TIA patients by color ultrasonic testing regularly.