A Bilateral Anomalous Origin of Superior Laryngeal Artery from External Carotid Artery.
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Harsha. B. R ,Dakshayani. K.R
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2
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Post Graduate student , Professor and Head , Department of Anatomy ,
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Mysore Medical and Research Institute ,
ABSTRACT
During routine dissection in the Department of Anatomy,
MMC & RI, Mysore, a bilateral anomalous origin of superior
laryngeal artery from external carotid artery was observed
in a male cadaver aged around 55 years.
OBSERVATIONS
During routine dissection for the undergraduates in the
department of Anatomy, MMC&RI, Mysore, a bilateral
anomalous origin of superior laryngeal artery from external
carotid artery was observed in a male cadaver aged around
55 years.
The superior laryngeal artery is the dominant arterial supply
of the laryngeal muscles, mucosa and glands. Normally it is
a branch of superior thyroid artery. The variations in the
superior laryngeal artery origin is important during the
partial laryngectomy, reconstruction surgery of the larynx,
laryngeal transplantation and it will help the surgeons in the
successful radical neck dissection and will also assist them
in minimizing postoperative complications in a bloodless
surgery. As superior laryngeal artery is the dominant artery
to the laryngeal and hypo pharyngeal region, the
knowledge regarding the variation in superior laryngeal
artery origin can help the clinicians in the super selective
intra-arterial chemotherapy for laryngeal and hypo
laryngeal cancers.
Right side: The superior laryngeal artery was originating
from medial aspect of external carotid artery 2.5cm distal to
the origin of superior thyroid artery. The artery was running
transversely anterior to carotid sheath in the carotid triangle
and pierced thyrohyoid membrane. The internal laryngeal
nerve was crossing the artery posteriorly and pierced the
membrane 0.5 cm below the artery. Total length of the
artery was 38.2 mm with the external diameter 1.34mm.
Left side: The superior laryngeal artery was originating
from posterior-medial aspect of external carotid artery 2.2
cm distal to the origin of superior thyroid artery. Artery was
tortuous and seen running transversely anterior to carotid
sheath in the carotid triangle and pierced the thyrohyoid
membrane. The internal laryngeal nerve was seen in
superior relation throughout course of the artery. Total
length of the artery was 41.5 mm with external diameter of
1.36 mm.
KEY WORDS Superior laryngeal artery, External carotid
artery, Super selective intra-arterial chemotherapy.
INTRODUCTION
The Superior laryngeal artery is a branch of superior thyroid
artery. It runs transversely in carotid triangle along with the
internal laryngeal nerve, and pierces the thyrohyoid
membrane and supplies piriform fossa, quadrilateral
membrane and the larynx till the level of false vocal cord. It
terminates by anastomosing with artery of the opposite side
and with inferior laryngeal artery. The artery supplies most
of the laryngeal muscles, mucosa and glands of laryngeal
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region.
DISCUSSION
The human larynx is an anatomically complex organ with a
multiplicity of sophisticated and critical functions. The bulk
of the blood to the human larynx is delivered via the
superior laryngeal artery; the first branch of the superior
thyroid artery. Although the variation in the superior
laryngeal artery origin and morphology is important during
the partial laryngectomy and reconstruction surgery of the
larynx, the description of the superior laryngeal artery in
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modern literature is vague.
Although variation in the origin of the superior laryngeal
artery is rare, it may unilaterally arise from lingual, facial or
ascending pharyngeal artery. Bilateral origin of superior
laryngeal artery from external carotid artery is extremely
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rare.
Nayak SR et al. (2011) observed 12.1% of cases in which
the artery was taking origin from external carotid artery in
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Anatomica Karnataka, Vol-6, (3), Page 94-97 (2012)
A Bilateral Anomalous Origin of Superior Laryngeal Artery from External Carotid Artery.
Gross Anatomy
Fig 1: Superior laryngeal artery on Right side
SLA: Superior Laryngeal Artery
ILN: Internal laryngeal nerve
ECA: External carotid artery
STA: Superior thyroid artery
Fig 2: Superior laryngeal artery on left Side
SLA: Superior laryngeal artery
ILN: Internal laryngeal nerve
ECA: External carotid artery
STA: Superior thyroid artery
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A Bilateral Anomalous Origin of Superior Laryngeal Artery from External Carotid Artery.
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Gross Anatomy
Anatomica Karnataka, Vol-6, (3), Page 94-97 (2012)
A Bilateral Anomalous Origin of Superior Laryngeal Artery from External Carotid Artery.
Gross Anatomy
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Larsen WJ. Human Embryology. 2 ed. Churchill
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Shimizu T, Sakakura Y, Hattori T, Yamaguchi N,
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CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS
Dr.Harsha. B. R
Post Graduate student,
Department of Anatomy,
Mysore Medical and Research Institute,
Mysore-570001
Mobile no. +919845297817
Email:harsha.charlie@gmail.com
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Anatomica Karnataka, Vol-6, (3), Page 94-97 (2012)