Relationship between the recurrent laryngeal nerve and the inferior thyroid artery: a study in corpses

Abstract

The anatomical relationship between the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) and the inferior thyroid artery (ITA) was studied in 76 embalmed corpses, 8 females and 68 males. In both sexes, the RLN lay more frequently between branches of the ITA.; it was found in this position in 47.3% of male corpses and 42.8% of female ones. On the right, RLN was found between branches of the ITA in 49.3% of the cases, anterior to it in 38.04%, and posterior in 11.26%. On the left, the RLN lay between branches of the ITA in 44.45%, posterior to the ITA in 37.05%, and anterior to it in 18.05% of the cases. In 62.68% of the cases, the relationship found on one side did not occur again on the opposite side. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in the distribution of the 3 types of relationships between the RLN and the ITA, on the right and on the left. Racial variations could contribute to an explanation of the differences observed by authors of different countries in the relationship between the RLN and the ITA.

The Non-Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve: a meta-analysis and clinical considerations

“…A total of 53 studies ( n  = 53,577 total nerves; 33,571 Right RLNs and 20,006 Left RLNs) were included: 35 intraoperative, 17 cadaveric and 1 imaging (CT) (Reed, 1943; Wade, 1955; Hunt, Poole & Reeve, 1968; Stewart, Mountain & Colcock, 1972; Skandalakis et al, 1976; Papadatos, 1978; Proye et al, 1982; Flament, Delattre & Palot, 1983; Henry et al, 1988; Menck, Grüber & Lierse, 1990; Lekacos et al, 1992; Freschi et al, 1994; Moreau et al, 1998; Sasou, Nakamura & Kurihara, 1998; Sturniolo et al, 1999; Campos & Henriques, 2000; Raffaelli, Iacobone & Henry, 2000; Watanabe et al, 2001; Watanabe et al, 2016; Monfared, Gorti & Kim, 2002; Page, Foulon & Strunski, 2003; Hermans et al, 2003; Ardito et al, 2004; Toniato et al, 2004; Spartà et al, 2004; Sciumè et al, 2005; Shindo, Wu & Park, 2005; Beneragama & Serpell, 2006; Maranillo et al, 2008; Makay et al, 2008; Serpell, Yeung & Grodski, 2009; Lee et al, 2009; Sunanda, Tilakeratne & De Silva, 2010; Shao et al, 2010; Wang et al, 2011; Kaisha, Wobenjo & Saidi, 2011; Kandil et al, 2011; Pradeep, Jayashree & Harshita, 2012; Chiang et al, 2012; Tang et al, 2012; Benouaich et al, 2012; Asgharpour et al, 2012; Silva, Siqueira & Arruda, 2013; Donatini, Carnaille & Dionigi, 2013; Satoh et al, 2013; Cai et al, 2013; Hong, Park & Yang, 2014; Yang et al, 2014; Han, Bai & Lu, 2015; Dolezel et al, 2015; Iacobone et al, 2015; Buła et al, 2015; Ngo Nyeki et al, 2015; Barczyński et al, 2015). The dates of the included studies spanned the period from 1943 to 2016.…”

An applied anatomical study on the recurrent laryngeal nerve and inferior thyroid artery

“…However, excessive manipulation and dissection must be avoided so the nerve is brought under visual control without risk of compromising its vascularization [2]. Furthermore, it should be kept in mind that in some cases, the course of RLN may be deflected by pathology of the thyroid, the parathyroid glands, or lymph nodes in the neck.…”

Combined anomalous origin of a left inferior thyroid artery and a left vertebral artery: a case report

“…The inferior thyroid artery has a variable branching pattern and is closely associated with the recurrent laryngeal nerve. The nerve can be found deep to the inferior thyroid artery, superficially or between branches of the artery [9,10]. Furthermore, at the level of the inferior thyroid artery, branches of the recurrent laryngeal nerve that are extralaryngeal may be present.…”