Variations, relations and clinical significance of carotid arterial system in anterior neck: a cadaveric study

Abstract

Background: The common carotid, internal and external carotid arteries and their branches serve as major source of blood supply in head-neck region of human and are often encountered during numerous surgical and clinical interventions of neck.Methods: We dissected and examined both sides of neck in 49 well embalmed cadavers (98 sides). We recorded the following anatomical parameters of carotid arterial system-level of bifurcation, the relation between internal and external carotid arteries, branching pattern of anterior branches of external carotid artery, tortuosity in carotid arterial system, and relation of hypoglossal nerve with the carotid arteries.Results: In 56.16 % cases, the common carotid arterial bifurcation took place at the upper border of thyroid cartilage though high bifurcation was quite common (43.88%). The external carotid artery was located antero-medial to internal carotid artery in most cases (93.87%). Abnormal tortuosity of carotid arterial system was detected in 2.04% cases only. In 86.73% cases, the hypoglossal nerve crossed the internal and external carotid artery superior to carotid bifurcation above the level of hyoid bone while in 1 case it crossed immediately inferior to carotid bifurcation. In branching pattern, following variations were observed- linguo-facial trunk in 15.3% cases, thyro-lingual trunk in 5.1% cases, origin of superior thyroid artery from common carotid in 10.02% cases and origin of superior thyroid from internal carotid in one case (1.02%).Conclusions: The carotid arterial system has complex and variable anatomy in neck and this information should be kept in mind to avoid unwanted damage during surgical procedures of neck.

Anatomical variations in the origin of the superior thyroid artery

“…Various scholars have conveyed the cases of thyrolingual trunk originating from the CCA (2). Ghosh et al reported an extremely rare variation where STA originated from the internal carotid artery near the CCA bifurcation level (10). Thwin S et al noticed a common linguofacial stem in their studies (11).…”

Right External Carotid Artery Originated Right Superior Thyroid Artery in Cadavers of a Medical College in Western Nepal: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

“…2 Variations in the right external carotid artery originating from superior thyroid arteries are frequently documented in classical anatomical, surgical and radiological textbooks. [4][5] Ample knowledge about variations in arterial supply of superior thyroid artery is required prior to formulating planned neck surgeries This study aims to find out the prevalence of right superior thyroid artery originating from the right external carotid artery in cadavers of a medical college in Nepal.…”