Anat Biol Anthropol.  2022 Sep;35(3):111-114. 10.11637/aba.2022.35.3.111.

Tracheoesophageal Branch Arising from the Thyrocervical Trunk: a Cadaveric Case Report

• Shin JO
• Kim SJ
• Won HJ

• KMID: 2535010
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.11637/aba.2022.35.3.111

Abstract

During routine dissection, a tracheoesophageal branch arising from the left thyrocervical trunk was found unilaterally in the cadaver of a 69-year-old male. It arose directly from the proximal part of the thyrocervical trunk with a thickness of 1.1 mm, and divided into three branches. The first of three branches arose when the tracheoesophageal branch passed deep to the cord connecting middle and inferior cervical ganglia, and supplied the upper part of cervical esophagus without contributions to trachea. The second branch was arose at the site where the tracheoesophageal branch superficially crossed to the thoracic duct, and supplied the lower parts of cervical trachea and esophagus. The third branch was arose 10.9 mm inferior to the arising site of the second branch. It supplied uppermost parts of the thoracic trachea and esophagus, and small branch arising from the third branch supplied left recurrent laryngeal nerve and aortic arch. The variations of the tracheoesophageal branch described herein are expected to be helpful information for clinical management in this region.

Keyword

Tracheoesophageal branch; Variation; Thyrocervical trunk; Intervertebral disc displacement; Anterior approach