Due to the close association between the superior thyroid arteries (STA) and external laryngeal nerve (ELN) one potential complication of thyroidectomy is trauma to the ELN. The aim of the current study was to evaluate variations in the origin of the STA and its relation to the ELN in 44 hemisections from 22 Thiel embalmed cadavers (9 male, 13 female: mean age 79 years). The STA arose from the external carotid artery in 31/44 (71%) specimens, the common carotid artery in 12/44 (27%) and was absent in 1/44 (2%) specimens. The ELN crossed the STA within 10 mm superior to the superior pole of the thyroid gland in 21/44 (48%) specimens, between 10 and 15 mm superiorly in 10/44 (23%) and more than 15 mm superiorly in 7/44 (16%) in 6/44 (13%) specimens the ELN did not cross the STA. A modified classification of the relationship between the STA and ELN is proposed in which a crossing point between 10 and 15 mm superior to the superior pole of the thyroid gland in introduced.

IntroductionGlobally, the prevalence of self-medication among young people has increased exponentially. Due to the basic knowledge and easy access to medicines, undergraduate students at health science colleges are likely to self-medicate. This research was undertaken to assess self-medication prevalence and its contributing factors among female undergraduate students in health science colleges at Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia.Materials and methodsA descriptive, cross-sectional study involving 214 female students from the Majmaah University in Saudi Arabia's health science colleges—Medical: (82, 38.31%) and Applied Medical Science College (132, 61.68%)—was conducted. A self-administered questionnaire with sociodemographic information, drugs used, and reasons for self-medication was used for the survey. Non-probability sampling techniques were used to recruit participants.ResultsOf the 214 female participants, 173, 80.84 % (medical: 82, 38.31% and applied medical science: 132, 61.68%) confirmed that they were on self-medication. The majority of participants (42.1%) were between the ages of 20 and 21.5 years (mean ± SD: 20.81 ± 1.4). The main reasons for self-medication were quick relief from the illness (77.5%) followed by saving time (76.3%), minor illnesses (71.1%), self-confidence (56.7%), and laziness (56.7%). The use of leftover drugs at home was common among applied medical science students (39.9%). The main indication for self-medication included menstrual problems (82.7 %), headache (79.8%), fever (72.8%), pain (71.1%), and stress (35.3%). The most common drugs used included antipyretic and analgesics (84.4%), antispasmodics (78.9%), antibiotics (76.9%), antacids (68.2%), multivitamins, and dietary supplements (66.5%). On the contrary, the least used drugs were antidepressants, anxiolytics, and sedatives (3.5, 5.8, and 7.5 %, respectively). Family members were the main source of information for self-medication (67.1%), followed by self-acquired knowledge (64.7%), social media (55.5%), and least were friends (31.2%). For adverse effects of the medication, the majority of them consulted the physician (85%) followed by consulting the pharmacist (56.7%) and switched to other drugs or decreased drug dosage. Quick relief, saving time, and minor illness were the main reasons for self-medication among health science college students. It is recommended to conduct awareness programs, workshops, and seminars to educate on the benefits and adverse effects of self-medication.