Anat Cell Biol.  2018 Dec;51(4):302-304. 10.5115/acb.2018.51.4.302.

Bilateral thyrolinguofacial trunk: unusual and rare branching pattern of external carotid artery

• Baxla M
• Kumari C
• Kaler S

• KMID: 2430199
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5115/acb.2018.51.4.302

Abstract

Prior knowledge of arterial supply to the head and neck is of substantial importance for well-planned surgeries involving the concerned region. We are reporting an unusual and rare variation in the branching pattern of external carotid artery in a 60-year-old female cadaver. A common trunk known as thyrolinguofacial trunk, originating from the anterior surface of the external carotid artery (right and left) giving of superior thyroid artery and a linguofacial trunk during a routine neck dissection. The linguofacial trunk then divided into a lingual and a facial artery. Vascular abnormalities are usually detected either on the dissection table or by the radiologists during imaging or accidently during surgeries leading to serious consequences.

Keyword

Thyrolinguofacial trunk; Linguofacial trunk; External carotid artery; Lingual artery; Facial artery

MeSH Terms

Arteries
Cadaver
Carotid Artery, External*
Female
Head
Humans
Middle Aged
Neck
Neck Dissection
Thyroid Gland

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Photographic illustration of left thyrolinguofacial trunk (TLFT) originating from left external carotid artery (ECA). This common trunk divided to give origin to superior thyroid artery (STA) and linguofacial trunk (LFT). This trunk further gave rise to lingual artery (LA) and facial artery (FA). CCA, common carotid artery; HN, hypoglossal nerve; ICA, internal carotid artery; SMG, submandibular gland; TG, thyroid gland.

• 

  Fig. 2 Photographic illustration of right thyrolinguofacial trunk (TLFT) originating from the right external carotid artery (ECA). This common trunk (TLFT) is divided into in superior thyroid artery (STA) and linguofacial trunk which further gave off lingual artery (LA) and facial artery (FA). CCA, common carotid artery; DGM, digastric muscle; HN, hypoglossal nerve; ICA, internal carotid artery; LA, lingual artery; SMG, submandibular gland; TG, thyroid gland.

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