A study of venous drainage of thyroid gland in 50 cadavers.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The thyroid gland is drain by mainly three vein, superior thyroid vein, middle thyroid vein, inferior thyroid vein. Some time fourth thyroid vein of kocher is also present. Material and Methods: Anatomy of venous drainage of thyroid gland was studied in 50 formalin embalmed cadaver, aged between 60 to 80 years. Dissection method was use for this study. Result and Observation Middle thyroid vein found to be absent in 12 cases. No abnormality found in superior thyroid vein and inferior thyroid vein. Termination of all veins was traced. Thyroid vein of kocher was not found in any cases. Conclusion: A better understanding of the anatomic variability in superior thyroid vein, middle thyroid vein and inferior thyroid vein may be useful not only to minimize the risk of bleeding, but it also can help to perform a more accurate dissection with the goal of preserving the laryngeal nerves and parathyroid glands, especially because of its location and relationships with other adjacent structures.