Thyrolingual Trunk Arising from Common Carotid Artery- A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Anatomy
• Vascular Surgery
• Head and Neck Oncology

Background:

• The Superior Thyroid Artery (STA) typically branches from the External Carotid Artery (ECA).
• The Lingual Artery usually arises near the hyoid bone.
• A thyrolingual trunk, a common origin for both arteries, is a rare anatomical variation.

Observation:

• A patient with recurrent carcinoma of the right lower alveolus underwent neck dissection.
• An unusual anatomical variation was incidentally observed during the procedure.

Findings:

• The study identified a thyrolingual trunk originating from the medial aspect of the Common Carotid Artery (CCA).
• This origin from the CCA is a highly infrequent presentation of this arterial variant.

Implications:

• Recognition of this rare CCA-originating thyrolingual trunk is crucial for surgeons performing head and neck procedures.
• Understanding such anatomical anomalies can prevent intraoperative complications and improve surgical outcomes.
• This case highlights the importance of detailed anatomical knowledge in oncologic surgery.