Anat Cell Biol.  2024 Jun;57(2):316-319. 10.5115/acb.23.302.

Bilateral unusual branching pattern of the external carotid artery in a human cadaver

• Trifonov S
• Dobrev M
• Hristova P
• Bogeva-Tsolova I

• KMID: 2556576
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5115/acb.23.302

Abstract

Comprehensive understanding of the variations in the branching of the external carotid artery (ECA) is essential to minimizing vascular complications during cranio-facial and neck surgical procedures. We demonstrate a rare case of unusual branching of ECAs in both carotid triangles and anomalous origin of the left ascending pharyngeal artery (APA) during dissection of embalmed cadaver. The right and left common carotid arteries (CCA) bifurcated at the level of the upper border of the thyroid cartilage. The right superior thyroid artery (STA) originated anterior to the carotid bifurcation (CB), while the left STA originated from the anterior aspect of the left CCA. The right ECA trifurcated into linguofacial trunk, APA, and distal ECA, 15.7 mm from CB. On the left side, lingual artery and APA arose as a short common linguopharyngeal trunk, 1.9 mm from CB. The left facial and occipital arteries originated anteromedially and posteriorly at the same level.

Keyword

External carotid artery; Ascending pharyngeal artery; Linguofacial trunk; Superior thyroid artery; Linguopharyngeal trunk

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Photographs (A–C) and illustration (D) of the branches of the left ECA. (A) native state of the left ECA with all visible caudal branches. (B, C) Demonstration of the short LPT emerging anteromedially from the ECA. (D) drawing representing all caudal branches of the left ECA. SMG, submandibular gland; HN, hypoglossal nerve; ECA, external carotid artery; OA, occipital artery; FA, facial artery; ICA, internal carotid artery; LA, lingual artery; STA, superior thyroid artery; CB, carotid bifurcation; CCA, common carotid artery; APA, ascending pharyngeal artery; LPT, linguopharyngeal trunk.

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  Fig. 2 Photographs (A–C) and illustration (D) of the branches of the right ECA. (A) native state of the right ECA with all visible caudal branches. (B, C) Demonstration of the trifurcation of the ECA into LFT, APA, and distal ECA. (D) drawing representing all caudal branches of the right ECA. HN, hypoglossal nerve; OA, occipital artery; APA, ascending pharyngeal artery; FA, facial artery; ICA, internal carotid artery; LFT, linguofacial trunk; LA, lingual artery; ECA, external carotid artery; CB, carotid bifurcation; STA, superior thyroid artery; CCA, common carotid artery.

Reference

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