A Rare Case Of Bilateral Variant Ansa Cervicalis And Review Of Literature

ABSTRACT

Ansa cervicalis is a nerve loop that is embedded in the anterior wall of carotid sheath of the neck. It is formed bydescendent hypoglossi and descendens cervicalis. It supplies the infrahyoid muscles. During routine dissection,a rare variant in the morphology of Ansa cervicalis was observed in adult male cadaver. The variant ansacervicalis exhibited two loops, and was present bilaterally. The formation, course and relations of the nerve loopis complex. During literature search, we came across studies which propose different classifications. Hence wehave added a note on the different classifications.Ansa cervicalis is important since it can be used in nerve-nerve anastomosis, nerve-muscle pedicle implantationin relation to reconstructive surgeries of larynx. Hence, the knowledge of variations in the formation, anddistribution is relevant. It can affect the outcome during reinnervation surgeries following recurrent laryngealparalysis and surgeries around this area of neck.