The incidence of the foramen thyroideum in Turkish population

Abstract

This study was undertaken to investigate the incidence and characteristics of the foramen thyroideum (FT) in Turkish population. A total of 50 cadaver specimens were dissected which were a randomly selected sample of population from the criminal laboratory of the Republic of Turkey's Ministry of Justice (Istanbul). Larynges were dissected with a surgical SMZ 10 Nikon stereomicroscope. Six of the 50 specimens dissected had distinctly identifiable foramina with neurovascular component. One specimen had bilateral foramina, five specimens had unilateral foramina, and two had it in the left side, three in the right. One specimen had a double foramen in the left side. All of them were male and contained neurovascular components. Our data showed 12% incidence of FT in Turkish population.

The morphometric development of the fetal larynx during the fetal period

“…In this study, the foramen thyroideum was observed in 12.5% (bilateral 2.5%, left unilateral 10%) of the cases. These observations were consistent with the results reported by Ortug et al [22].…”

“…In Turkish population, Ortug et al [22] showed 12% incidence of foramen thyroideum which one specimen had bilateral foramina, five specimens had unilateral foramina and one specimen had a double foramen in the left side. Kirchner et al's study [23] in 1989 of 121 coronally sectioned larynges, such openings were found in 47 (39%), appearing bilaterally in 15 (12%) and unilaterally in 32 (27%) (right-sided 9%-left-sided 18%).…”

“…Anatomic variations as anatomic openings (foramen thyroideum) in the posterosuperior portion of the thyroid lamina must be taken into consideration [22,23], because superior laryngeal vessels and a subdivision of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve may transit from these openings [24,25]. Knowledge of the incidence and location of these foramina is important because their contents may be preserved.…”

Variations in the origin of superior laryngeal artery

“…However, there are reports in literature [1819] where superior laryngeal arteries were found passing through ‘foramen thyroideaum’ (FT) usually on the upper part of lamina on the thyroid cartilage behind the oblique line. According to Léon et al [20] FT is due to the result of failure in the chondrification of mesenchymal elements derived from the 4th and 6th arches, (from which the thyroid cartilage develops) associated with the presence of vessels and/or nerves proceeding from the superior laryngeal pedicle.…”

Foramen in the Shield: Foramen Thyroideum

“…(3) Joshi et al reported one on right side, three on left side, and one bilateral out of 50 cadavers in an Indian population. Foramen thyroideum were located on the oblique line in one specimen on right side.…”