Publication: Anomalous Superior Thyroid Artery
Date
2010
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The variations in the pattern of distribution of superior thyroid artery assume
paramount importance for neck surgeons, in view of its vital topographical relationship
to the external laryngeal nerve. In this study, we report an unusual variation in the
arterial supply of the thyroid gland, which was detected during a routine dissection of
an adult male cadaver. The right superior thyroid artery was absent whereas the left
superior thyroid artery took origin from the left common carotid artery and showed
a dominant pattern of distribution supplying the superior aspect of both the left and
right lobes of the thyroid gland. It exhibited a usual relationship with the left external
laryngeal nerve. The inferior thyroid arteries did not show any unusual distribution.
Knowledge of such arterial variations related to the thyroid gland is immensely helpful
for surgeons in order to put ligature on anomalous artery and to avoid damage to vital
structures in this area, such as the external laryngeal nerve.
Key Words
thyroid gland, anatomy, superior thyroid artery, variation, surgery.
Description
Vandana Mehta1, Rajesh.K.Suri 2, Jyoti Arora 3, Gayatri Rath4, Srijit Das5
1-4Department of Anatomy, Vardhaman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi-110029, India 5 Department of Anatomy, National University of Malaysia, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia