ABSTRACT
SUMMARY: The superior laryngeal artery is the primary vessel providing the blood supply to the larynx. Commonly, it is derived from the superior thyroid artery. Different variations in the origin have been described in the current literature; knowledge of such variations is crucial for various surgical interventions of the larynx and surgical procedures in the lateral region of the neck regarding the carotid triangle. It should be noted that radiological studies, such as selective angiography of the thyroid gland, can also be misleading in cases of variations. Herein, we describe a case of bilateral superior laryngeal artery originating directly from the external carotid artery of the neck. The arteries at first have a transverse course and then pierce through the thyrohyoid membrane alongside internal laryngeal nerves. Moreover, we also review the known variations in the origin of the superior laryngeal artery and propose a new classification of all known variations.
RESUMEN: La arteria laríngea superior es el vaso principal que proporciona el suministro de sangre a la laringe. Comúnmente, se deriva de la arteria tiroidea superior. Han sido descritas diferentes variaciones en su origen y el conocimiento de éstas resulta crucial para las intervenciones quirúrgicas realizadas en la laringe, como también en los procedimientos quirúrgicos que se llevan a cabo en la región lateral del cuello, respecto al triángulo carotídeo. Cabe señalar que los estudios radiológicos, como la angiografía selectiva de la glándula tiroides, también pueden ser engañosos en casos de variaciones anatómicas. Aquí, describimos un caso de arteria laríngea superior bilateral que se originaba directamente de la arteria carótida externa. Las arterias al inicio tenían un curso transversal y luego atravezaban la membrana tirohioidea junto con los nervios laríngeos internos. Revisamos también las variaciones conocidas en el origen de la arteria laríngea superior y proponemos una nueva clasificación de todas las variaciones conocidas.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Aged , Arteries/anatomy & histology , Anatomic Variation , Larynx/blood supplyABSTRACT
Background: The superior laryngeal artery (SLA) is the dominant arterial supply of the laryngeal muscles, mucosaand glands. Knowledge of variations in the origin of superior laryngeal artery will be very useful duringreconstructive surgeries of the larynx, partial laryngectomy, laryngeal transplantation, and also during procedureslike super-selective intra-arterial chemotherapy for laryngeal and hypolaryngeal cancers. However, relativelyfew studies have been done on the superior laryngeal artery in comparison to its clinical importance. Thepresent study was aimed at documenting the prevalence of variable origin of the superior laryngeal artery withinthe carotid triangle.Materials and methods: Seventy hemi-necks obtained from 35 cadavers were dissected and studied for variationsin the origin of superior laryngeal artery. Dissection method was employed for this study. The infrahyoid groupof muscles were identified and reflected. The sternocleidomastoid muscle and superior belly of omohyoid weredisplaced laterally. The fascia was removed from the lobes of the thyroid gland exposing its arteries and veins,studied the origin of STA and its branches, especially superior laryngeal artery.Results: It was observed that the superior laryngeal artery took origin from superior thyroid in 92.8% cases.Variable origin from the bifurcation of common carotid artery was noted in 4.28% cases. SLA was found to arisefrom the external carotid artery in 2.85% cases. All the variations that were observed were unilateral.Conclusion: These findings may provide further insight to the anatomists, radiologists and surgeons and canhelp improve performances during surgical manipulations of the larynx.
ABSTRACT
The superior laryngeal artery is the principal artery supplying the laryngeal mucosa, musculature, and glands. Knowledge of variations in the origin of superior laryngeal artery could prove to be very useful during reconstructive surgeries of the larynx, partial laryngectomy, laryngeal transplantation, and also during procedures like super-selective intra-arterial chemotherapy for laryngeal and hypolaryngeal cancers. However, relatively few studies have been done on the superior laryngeal artery in comparison to its clinical importance. The present study was aimed at documenting the prevalence of variable origin of the superior laryngeal artery within the carotid triangle. Sixty hemi-necks obtained from 30 South Indian cadavers were dissected and studied for variations in the origin of superior laryngeal artery. It was observed that the superior laryngeal artery took origin from superior thyroid in 91.7% cases. Variable origin from the external carotid artery was noted in 5% cases. The superior laryngeal artery was found to arise from the lingual artery in one case alone (1.7%). In addition to the above findings, a very rare variation of superior laryngeal artery arising from the ascending pharyngeal (1.7%) was also observed in the hemi-neck of one cadaver. All the variations that were observed were unilateral and on the left side. These findings may help provide further insight to the anatomists, radiologists and surgeons and can help improve performances during surgical manipulations of the larynx.
Subject(s)
Humans , Anatomists , Arteries , Cadaver , Carotid Artery, External , Drug Therapy , Laryngeal Mucosa , Laryngectomy , Larynx , Prevalence , Surgeons , Thyroid GlandABSTRACT
During routine dissection in Anatomy Department, KMC Manipal, anomalous origin of superior laryngeal artery arising from external carotid artery was observed on the right side in an adult male cadaver. Superior laryngeal artery normally is a branch of superior thyroid artery. It supplies laryngeal muscles, mucosa and glands. The origin of lingual and facial arteries from external carotid artery was normal. The courses of nerves in the carotid triangle are also normal No variations were observed in the left carotid arterial system. Variations in the origin of the superior laryngeal artery are very rare. It may arise from lingual, facial, ascending pharyngeal, external carotid artery or even from the common carotid artery. There are reports of rare variation of the common trunk of origin of superior laryngeal and inferior thyroid artery from the external carotid artery at the same level as origin of common linguofacial trunk. Though embryogenesis of this variation is not clear, but may be important for reconstruction surgery of the larynx, laryngeal transplantation and it will also be useful to the surgeons in minimizing the post-operative complications in a bloodless surgery. Clinicians must be aware of these variations in the super selective intra arterial chemotherapy for laryngeal and hypo laryngeal cancers.
ABSTRACT
During the routine dissection of the neck for the first MBBS students, we have found the abnormal branching of the external carotid artery in the carotid triangle. The external carotid artery is a terminal branch of the common carotid artery arises at the level of superior border of the thyroid cartilage in the carotid triangle. It supplies the structures of head and neck regions by its eight branches. The knowledge of variations is very important for the general, head & neck, ENT and oncosurgeons, to avoid unforeseen complication in the form of bleeding by injuring the abnormal arteries. It is also important for the vascular surgeons and radiologists while performing the procedures on the arteries.