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Related Experiment Videos

The superior laryngeal nerve loop and its surgical implications.

S Q Sun1, R W Chang

  • 1Department of Anatomy, Chongquing University of Medical Sciences, People's Republic of China.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy : SRA
|January 1, 1991
PubMed
Summary

A common loop connecting the cervical sympathetic chain and the superior laryngeal nerve was found in 98.3% of cadavers. This loop, often overlooked, innervates the cricothyroid muscle and thyroid gland, impacting thyroid surgery.

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Area of Science:

  • Anatomy
  • Surgical Anatomy
  • Neuroanatomy

Background:

  • The superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) is crucial for laryngeal function.
  • Traditional anatomical descriptions consider the external laryngeal nerve (ELN) as linear.
  • The relationship between the SLN and the cervical sympathetic chain (CSC) is not fully elucidated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the incidence and morphology of a loop connecting the CSC and the SLN.
  • To determine the innervation pattern of this loop to the cricothyroid muscle and thyroid gland.
  • To provide anatomical insights for thyroid surgery.

Main Methods:

  • Dissection of 120 sides from 60 human cadavers.
  • Detailed examination of the anatomical course and variations of the SLN and its connection with the CSC.

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  • Morphological classification of the observed nerve loop structures.

    • Main Results:

    • A loop connecting the CSC and the SLN was identified in 98.3% of the studied sides.
    • The loop most frequently connected the CSC to the ELN, which was found to be non-linear in most cases.
    • The loop innervated both the cricothyroid muscle and the thyroid gland, representing a potential origin of the thyroid nerve.

    Conclusions:

    • The SLN-CSC loop is a prevalent anatomical finding with significant implications for laryngeal and thyroid innervation.
    • Variations in the loop's morphology necessitate careful surgical technique during thyroid procedures.
    • Understanding this anatomical loop is vital for preserving nerve supply to the cricothyroid muscle and thyroid gland during surgery.