the methods of dissection and analysis of angioCT’s. Each of the details was analyzed comparatively on both sides of the body assessing: the origin of the superior thyroid artery in relation to the carotid bifurcation, the face of the external carotid artery that gives origin and the traject of the artery from the origin to the glandular parenchyma. The origin of the superior thyroid artery was evaluated on a number of 64 cases, most frequently having its origin from the external carotid artery, an aspect met 53.125 % of cases, at a distance that was between 1-18 mm. In 28.125 % of cases the superior thyroid artery had its origin in the common carotid trunk at a distance of 1-10 mm caudal to the terminal bifurcation of the common carotid. In 18.75 % of cases, the thyroid artery originated from the carotid bifurcation, which thus ends up by trifurcation. The side of the vessel that emerges the superior thyroid artery was assessed on 42 cases; most commonly the superior thyroid artery having its origin on the medial face, an aspect found in 66.67 % of cases; in 23.81 % of cases originated from the posterior medial and only two cases (4.76 % of cases), both on the left side(8.70 % of cases on the left), the origin of the superior thyroid artery was located on the anterior, respectively faces of the common carotid artery. The traject of the superior thyroid artery was followed on 53 cases, in most cases the artery showing initially a horizontal traject (transverse) towards medially for 1-4 cm, then became obliquely downward, an aspect met in 28.30 % of cases and in 22.64 % of cases, the artery was obliquely downward from its origin. In 11.32 % of cases the traject was obliquely ascending and in 9.43 % of cases the artery was initially obliquely upward for 2-3 cm, after which became transverse. For the remaining 28.30 % of the cases we have met a number of other 5 different patterns of traject but in a small percentage for each of them (5.66% of cases).

The superior thyroid artery shows a great variability in what concerns its origin. Most often, it appears as an independent branch of the external carotid artery, as its first collateral branch, or directly from the common carotid or at its terminal level. The superior thyroid artery origin was evaluated on 144 cases, using as study methods the dissection (39 cases), the plastic injection (22 cases) and the CT angiography evaluation (83 cases). It was studied, by percentage, the originating artery of the superior thyroid artery, the relation to the bifurcation of the common carotid artery, the neighboring arterial branches and the surface of the external carotid on which originated, the caliber of the external carotid artery before and after the origin of the superior thyroid artery. Most commonly, in 89 cases (61.80%), we describe the origin of the superior thyroid artery from the external carotid artery; from the common carotid artery originated 31 superior thyroid arteries (21.53%); at the level of the bifurcation of the common carotid artery, the superior thyroid artery had its origin in 21 cases (14.58%); in 2 cases (1.39%) we encountered the superior thyroid artery originating from a thyro-lingual trunk and in one case (0.69%), we met a thyro-linguo-facial trunk. The superior thyroid arteries may originate as an independent artery or as arterial trunks in varying proportions. When the origin of the superior thyroid artery is from the terminal common carotid, we propose to use the expression of terminal branching or the common carotid artery trifurcation. The results of our study are similar to those found in international literature, with statistical differences that may be attributed primarily to the total number of cases on which we worked and also working methods or may be attributed to other causes, such as the geographic area where the study was conducted and the amount of time the results were obtained.

Purpose and backgroundThe specialized literature has a low degree of information regarding the origin of the inferior thyroid artery (ITA). Our study was performed on computed tomography angiographies (CTAs), and the following aspects were observed: the origin of the ITA from the subclavian artery (SCA) or thyrocervical trunk (TCT), taking note of the distance of the origin of the ITA in relation to the origin of the SCA or the corresponding TCT, as well as the origin of the ITA, comparing right to left and according to gender. MethodsOur study was realized on a total of 108 ITA (64 on the right side and 44 on the left, with 48 in male subjects and 60 in females), analyzed on CTA. ResultsFrom the 108 arteries, we found the origin of ITA directly from the SCA in 31.48% of cases, and in 68.52% from the TCT. The distance between the origin of the right SCA and the origin of the corresponding ITA, was between 29.1-53.1 mm, while on the left side, the same distance was between 43.7-68.1 mm. The distance between the right TCT and the origin of the right SCA, was between 22.5-75.0 mm, and for the left side, it's between 48.7-56.8 mm. ConclusionsThe inferior thyroid artery is one of the arteries most susceptible to variations in terms of origin and size.With differences between the two sides (right and left), as well as differences related to gender.

Purpose and background The specialized literature has a low degree of information regarding the origin of the inferior thyroid artery (ITA). Our study was performed on computed tomography angiographies (CTAs), and the following aspects were observed: the origin of the ITA from the subclavian artery (SCA) or thyrocervical trunk (TCT), taking note of the distance of the origin of the ITA in relation to the origin of the SCA or the corresponding TCT, as well as the origin of the ITA, comparing right to left and according to gender. Methods Our study was realized on a total of 108 ITA (64 on the right side and 44 on the left, with 48 in male subjects and 60 in females), analyzed on CTA. Results From the 108 arteries, we found the origin of ITA directly from the SCA in 31.48% of cases, and in 68.52% from the TCT. The distance between the origin of the right SCA and the origin of the corresponding ITA, was between 29.1–53.1 mm, while on the left side, the same distance was between 43.7–68.1 mm. The distance between the right TCT and the origin of the right SCA, was between 22.5–75.0 mm, and for the left side, it’s between 48.7–56.8 mm. Conclusions The inferior thyroid artery is one of the arteries most susceptible to variations in terms of origin and size. With differences between the two sides (right and left), as well as differences related to gender.

The specialized literature has a low degree of information regarding the origin of the ITA. The study was performed on computed tomography angiographies (CTAs), and the following aspects were observed: the origin of the ITA from the SCA or TCT, taking note of the distance of the origin of the ITA in relation to the origin of the SCA or the corresponding TCT, as well as the origin of the ITA, comparing right to left and according to gender.Our study was realized on a total of 108 ITA (64 on the right side and 44 on the left, with 48 in male subjects and 60 in females), analyzed on CTA.From the 108 arteries, we found the origin of ITA directly from the SCA in 31.48% of cases, and in 68.52% from the TCT. The distance between the origin of the right SCA and the origin of the corresponding ITA, was between 29.1 – 53.1 mm, while on the left side, the same distance was between 43.7 – 68.1 mm. The distance between the right TCT and the origin of the right SCA, was between 22.5 – 75.0 mm, and for the left side, it’s between 48.7 – 56.8 mm.The inferior thyroid artery is one of the arteries most susceptible to variations in terms of origin and size. With differences between the two sides (right and left), as well as differences related to gender