Open AccessTHYRO-LINGUO-FACIAL TRUNK OF EXTERNAL CAROTID ARTERY: A RARE VARIATION
Author(s) -
Rakesh Kumar Diwan,
Aruna Rani,
Jyoti Chopra,
Navneet Kumar
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of anatomical sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0970-1842
DOI - 10.46351/jas.v26i1pp54-55
Subject(s) - medicine , trunk , facial artery , anatomy , external carotid artery , superior thyroid artery , dissection (medical) , internal carotid artery , common carotid artery , cadaver , thyroid , radiology , carotid arteries , surgery , biology , ecology
The complicated process of angiogenesis and remodelling which includes annexation and regression of vessels may give rise to variations in the branches of external carotid artery. The knowledge of variations in the branching pattern of external carotid artery (ECA) is important for surgical procedures in the neck region, such as radial neck dissection, catheterization, reconstruction of aneurysm, carotid endarterectomy and intervention radiology. The anatomical consequences of anomalous branching pattern of external carotid artery may have important clinical implications. A rare, common branch of the ECA, a thyro-linguo-facial trunk was found on right side in a 65 years old male cadaver during routine dissection. After giving a branch to thyroid gland as superior thyroid artery, this trunk ran forwards and medially as linguo-facial trunk and divided into lingual and facial arteries. The hypoglossal nerve was crossing the linguo-facial trunk.