scholarly journals Variations in the Branching Pattern of External Carotid Artery in South Kerala Population – A Cadaveric Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (22) ◽  
pp. 1780-1785
Author(s):  
Manju Sudhakaran ◽  
Mini Alikunju ◽  
Vandana Latha Raveendran ◽  
Umesan Kannanvilakom Govindapillai

BACKGROUND External carotid arteries account for a major share of arterial supply of head and neck regions. As variations are frequently observed in the branching pattern of external carotid artery, surgeons, radiologists and anaesthetists often encounter difficulties in various procedures of head and neck. The purpose of this study is to describe the variations in the branching pattern of external carotid artery as observed in South Indian population which definitely reduces its iatrogenic injuries associated with surgical and radiological procedures of head and neck. METHODS This is cross-sectional descriptive study. Bilateral neck dissection was done on twenty-two formalin fixed cadavers to study the branching pattern of external carotid artery during a period of two years in the Department of Anatomy in Government Medical College, Alappuzha. Common carotid, external carotid and internal carotid arteries were dissected. All the branches of external carotid artery were traced and the variations were noted. The distance between carotid bifurcation and point of origin of individual branches of external carotid were measured and statistically analyzed. RESULTS In the present study along with normal branching pattern of external carotid artery, variations like origin of superior thyroid artery from common carotid artery and also from carotid bifurcation were seen. A common linguofacial trunk and direct origin of superior laryngeal artery from external carotid artery were also observed. CONCLUSIONS Prior knowledge of the variations will be helpful to surgeons and anaesthetists while dealing with these vessels during procedures of head and neck regions. KEYWORDS External Carotid Artery, Carotid Bifurcation, Superior Thyroid Artery, Linguofacial Trunk

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 290-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ranjith Sreedharan ◽  
Lalu Krishna ◽  
Ashwija Shetty

Abstract Background The major arterial supply to the thyroid gland is from the superior and inferior thyroid arteries, arising from the external carotid artery and the thyrocervical trunk respectively. The external laryngeal nerve runs in close proximity to the origin of the superior thyroid artery in relation to the thyroid gland. The superior thyroid artery is clinically important in head and neck surgeries. Objectives To locate the origin of the superior thyroid artery, because wide variability is reported. To provide knowledge of possible variations in its origin, because it is important for surgical procedures in the neck. Methods The origin of the superior thyroid artery was studied by dissecting sixty adult human hemineck specimens from donated cadavers in a Department of Anatomy. Results The highest incidence observed was origin of the superior thyroid artery from the external carotid artery (88.33%), whereas origin from the common carotid bifurcation only occurred in 8.33%. However, in 3.33% of cases, the superior thyroid artery originated from the common carotid artery and in a single case, the external laryngeal nerve did not cross the stem of the superior thyroid artery at all, but ran ventral and parallel to the artery. Conclusions It is important to rule out anomalous origin of superior thyroid artery and verify its relationship to the external laryngeal nerve prior to ligation of the artery in thyroid surgeries, in order to prevent iatrogenic injuries. Moreover, because anomalous origins of the superior thyroid artery are only anatomic variants, thorough knowledge of these is decisive for head and neck surgeries.


2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (02) ◽  
pp. 108-110
Author(s):  
L. Khanal ◽  
P. Baral ◽  
P. Yadav ◽  
A. Pandeya ◽  
S. Shah ◽  
...  

AbstractDevelopmental anomalies in the origin and branching pattern of the external carotid artery are not common. The level of the bifurcation of the common carotid artery and also the variations in the origin/branching pattern of the external carotid artery are well known and documented. During a routine dissection of middle aged male cadaver in department of Anatomy in BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS) The clinically-relevant variations to be noted were the high origin and anomalous course of the facial artery, superior thyroid artery arising as a branch of Common Carotid artery, high origin of ascending pharyngeal artery, posterior auricular artery and direct glandular branches to the Submandibular gland. Such anatomical variations of external carotid artery are important for surgeons in surgeries of head and neck region and also for radiologists in the image interpretation of the face and neck region.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
Chetan Sahni ◽  
Shivshanker S

Thyroid surgeries are most common neck surgeries; hence thorough knowledge of the variations in blood supply of this gland to the surgeons is very important to prevent any alarming hemorrhage or iatrogenic damage. We found a variation in origin of superior thyroid artery on right side during routine dissection on an adult male cadaver in the Department of Anatomy, A.I.I.M.S, NewDelhi. Left superior thyroid artery was normal. Right side, superior thyroid artery was arising from common carotid artery instead of external carotid artery, just proximal to the bifurcation of common carotid artery. This variant branching pattern of superior thyroid artery is very rare. The inferior thyroid arteries did not show any unusual origin. Knowledge of such arterial variations related to the thyroid gland is immensely helpful to the surgeons to avoid damage of the vital organs in this region.


Author(s):  
Anasuya Ghosh ◽  
Subhramoy Chaudhury ◽  
Atin Datta

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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Elsllabi

Abstract Aims The external carotid artery (ECA) shows a variable branching pattern of its stemming vessels. The aim of this study is to investigate the origin of the three primary anterior branches of the external carotid artery (ECA): the superior thyroid (STA), lingual (LA), and facial arteries (FA). Method The branching pattern of the external carotid artery was studied on 15 Thiel embalmed cadavers of Scottish population (7 males and 8 females). The carotid triangle was dissected bilaterally in order to assess the origin sites of the main anterior branches of the ECA (STA, LA and FA) in relation to the carotid bifurcation (CB). Results The STA arises more frequently from the ECA (60%) than from the CCA (40%). The STA, LA and FA emerged as individual branches in 90% of cases. The distances from the origin site to the CB were (8.11 ± 2.77), (19.38 ± 8.85) and (27.95 ± 10.15), for the STA, LA, and FA respectively. Conclusions In-depth knowledge of the branching pattern of the external carotid artery is of great importance. The current findings have confirmed that the ECA branching pattern is highly variable. Therefore, considering some radiological imaging before conducting any invasive procedure in the neck region is vital to prevent iatrogenic injuries.


Author(s):  
Rakesh Kumar Diwan ◽  
Archana Rani ◽  
Jyoti Chopra ◽  
Navneet Kumar

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.


2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (01) ◽  
pp. 010-012
Author(s):  
S. Rajani

Abstract Introduction: Common carotid and its two major branches, external and internal carotid arteries form arterial network for blood supply in the head and neck region. Variations in configuration and branching pattern of these arteries change the irrigation pattern and complicate the identification of specific arteries during surgical intervention coupled with imagery interpretation for diagnosis. Though handful variations have been documented yet there is strong need to report unusual, new and virgin organization of configuration and branching pattern in these arteries. Case Report: During dissection of head and neck region, anomalous branching pattern consisting of bilateral trifitrcation/quadrification of common and external carotid arteries and abnormal trifitrcation of distal external carotid artery was observed. Conclusion: Lack of knowledge of these variants in branching coniguration may lead to unfortunate differential diagnosis and iatrogenic complications.


2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 124-129
Author(s):  
P. Gavrilidou ◽  
D.M. Iliescu ◽  
Baz R. ◽  
L.M. Rusali ◽  
P. Bordei

Abstract the methods of dissection and analysis of angioCT’s. Each of the details was analyzed comparatively on both sides of the body assessing: the origin of the superior thyroid artery in relation to the carotid bifurcation, the face of the external carotid artery that gives origin and the traject of the artery from the origin to the glandular parenchyma. The origin of the superior thyroid artery was evaluated on a number of 64 cases, most frequently having its origin from the external carotid artery, an aspect met 53.125 % of cases, at a distance that was between 1-18 mm. In 28.125 % of cases the superior thyroid artery had its origin in the common carotid trunk at a distance of 1-10 mm caudal to the terminal bifurcation of the common carotid. In 18.75 % of cases, the thyroid artery originated from the carotid bifurcation, which thus ends up by trifurcation. The side of the vessel that emerges the superior thyroid artery was assessed on 42 cases; most commonly the superior thyroid artery having its origin on the medial face, an aspect found in 66.67 % of cases; in 23.81 % of cases originated from the posterior medial and only two cases (4.76 % of cases), both on the left side(8.70 % of cases on the left), the origin of the superior thyroid artery was located on the anterior, respectively faces of the common carotid artery. The traject of the superior thyroid artery was followed on 53 cases, in most cases the artery showing initially a horizontal traject (transverse) towards medially for 1-4 cm, then became obliquely downward, an aspect met in 28.30 % of cases and in 22.64 % of cases, the artery was obliquely downward from its origin. In 11.32 % of cases the traject was obliquely ascending and in 9.43 % of cases the artery was initially obliquely upward for 2-3 cm, after which became transverse. For the remaining 28.30 % of the cases we have met a number of other 5 different patterns of traject but in a small percentage for each of them (5.66% of cases).


2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 74-78
Author(s):  
P. Gavrilidou ◽  
D.M. Iliescu ◽  
R. Baz ◽  
P. Bordei

Abstract The morphological characteristics at the level of the bifurcation of the common carotid artery were studied on 46 cases, finding that the most frequent, in 52.17% of cases, the common carotid bifurcation appear as the letter “V”, with two possible variations: a wide “V”, in 43.48% of cases and narrow “V” in 8.7% of cases. In 30.43% of cases, the two carotids showed an ascending traject, united for 1-2 cm up to their crossing; in 13,04% of the cases the two arteries were superimposed, the external located anteriorly. In only in two cases on the right side (4.35% of cases and 8.33% of right samples) we found a peculiar aspect of a “U” shaped bifurcation. Regarding the caliber of the external carotid artery, we found that in 43.33% of the cases the external carotid artery had a similar diameter to the internal carotid, also in 43.33% of the external carotid artery have a higher caliber than internal one and the remaining 13.33% of the cases, the external carotid artery had a smaller diameter than the internal one, with all cases on the left (16.67% of left carotid arteries). The caliber of the right external carotid artery was between 4 to 5.6 mm and the one of the left was between 3.6 to 5 mm. When the external carotid was more voluminous than the internal, the differences were 0.5 to 1.2 mm and when the internal carotid was more voluminous than the external, the differences were smaller, 0.2 to 0.8 mm. In relation to the common carotid, the external carotid had a smaller caliber from 0.6 to 1.1 mm. Regarding the external carotid traject, most commonly, from the bifurcation of the common carotid, the external carotid artery showed a vertical trajectory, in 50% of cases; in 40% of cases, the traject was oblique superomedially and in 6.67% of cases the external carotid artery described a curve with the convexity facing laterally, with all cases on the right (11.76% of right carotid arteries); in 3.33% of cases, both on the left (7.69% of the left carotid arteries), the external carotid artery traject described an inverted italic “S”


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Prashant Munjamkar ◽  
N. Y. Kamdi

Background: External carotid artery (ECA) is the main artery of head and neck region. It has eight named branches to maintain a rich vascularity of most of the structures of head and neck. The present study was undertaken to assess external diameter of ECA at origin and branching pattern of ECA. Methods: A total of 100 carotid specimens of 50 human cadavers (24 males and 26 females) were dissected in the Department of Anatomy at medical colleges and diameter and branching pattern of ECA were noted. Results: The diameter of ECA at its origin was in the ranged between 4.5 to 8 mm with mean of 6.676±0.8053 mm. 77% cases showed normal branching pattern of ECA, the commonest variation was the occurrence of linguofacial trunk (18%) and occipitiauricular trunk (4%). STA and lingual artery (LA) arose commonly from ECA in 71(71%) and 94 cases (94%) respectively. The origin of STA from ECA was statistically significant on left side (56.3%) compare to right (43.7%). Facial artery (FA), occipital artery (OA) and posterior auricular artery (PAA) arises as single branch and common trunk on right and left side. The accessory branches was observed to be present in total 3(3%) cases including 1(33.33%) on right and 2(66.66%) on left side. Conclusion: The present study revealed that the number of branches and branching pattern of ECA is variable and this variations do have a significant role in the various applications of anatomy of ECA for example in embolization, chemotherapy, cervical discectomy, thyroid surgeries etc.


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