Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Identification and Protection of the Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve during Transoral Robotic Thyroidectomy
Published on: October 24, 2025
Relative direction and position of recurrent laryngeal nerve for anatomical configuration
Mi-Sun Lee1, U-Young Lee, Jae-Hoon Lee
1Catholic Institute for Applied Anatomy, Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 505 Banpo-Dong, Seocho-Gu, Seoul 137-701, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
The present study aims to describe the course of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) using the tracheoesophageal groove (TEG) at the cricothyroid joint as a base line, and the configuration of RLN and inferior thyroid artery (ITA) for careful dissection in thyroid surgery. The RLN of left side is likely to be found posterior to ITA and course mainly from 0 degrees up to 30 degrees based on TEG near cricothyroid joint while the nerve of right side is likely to be found anterior to ITA in right side and course mainly from 15 degrees up to 45 degrees based on TEG. The contacting point of RLN with ITA locate from the tip of cricoid cartilage at about three tenth of the distance from the tip of cricoid cartilage to sternal notch without reference to individual body size. 70 cadavers were investigated. The angle of RLN from TEG was measured at the cricothyroid joint. The relative position of RLN to ITA was classified. The location of the contacting point of RLN with ITA was measured and converted as an index. These findings suggest the area for careful dissection near cricothyroid joint, the configuration of RLN for identifying the nerve.
Related Concept Videos
Larynx
Anatomy of the Larynx
The larynx consists of various components, including cartilage, muscles, and vocal cords. Its structure includes three large unpaired cartilages—the thyroid, cricoid, and epiglottis—and three smaller paired cartilages—the arytenoids, corniculates, and...
Anatomy of Respiratory System I: Upper Respiratory Tract
Nose and nasal cavity
The nose and nasal cavity represent the main external openings of the respiratory tract.
Directional Terms
Pharynx
Nasopharynx
The nasopharynx, bordered by the conchae of the nasal cavity, serves exclusively as an air conduit. In its superior region, the pharyngeal tonsils or adenoids are located. These tonsils are clusters of lymphoid reticular tissue akin to a lymph node. The precise...
Anatomical Positions
The body is upright, facing forward, and standing erect.
The feet are parallel and flat on the floor.
The arms are hanging by the...
The Hyoid Bone

