Anatomy and Cell Biology

Korean Association of Anatomists (대한해부학회)
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Bilateral unusual branching pattern of the external carotid artery in a human cadaver

  • Stefan Trifonov (Department of Anatomy, Histology, Cytology and Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University – Pleven) ;
  • Miroslav Dobrev (Department of Anatomy, Histology, Cytology and Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University – Pleven) ;
  • Preslava Hristova (Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University – Pleven) ;
  • Iren Bogeva-Tsolova (Department of Anatomy, Histology, Cytology and Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University – Pleven)
  • Received : 2023.12.21
  • Accepted : 2024.01.19
  • Published : 2024.06.30
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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.

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References

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