A Study Of Anatomical Variations Of The Origin Of Superior Thyroid Artery And Its Relationship With The External Branch Of Superior Laryngeal Nerve

AIMS: To examine the variations of the origin of superior thyroid artery and its relationship with the external anch of the superior laryngeal nerve. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 43 embalmed cadavers were studied in this descriptive study. The anterior triangle of the neck region was dissected bilaterally. The presence or absence of STA and its origin, anching pattern, relationship with the external anch of the superior laryngeal nerve, level of origin in relation to the lamina of the thyroid cartilage and level of carotid bifurcation were observed and recorded. OBSERVATION AND RESULTS: The superior thyroid artery arises from the external carotid artery in 44.2%, common carotid bifurcation in 27.9% and common carotid artery in 26.7% of cadavers.