Anomalous anatomic trajectory of the superior thyroid artery encountered during thyroidectomy. A rare case report

Superior thyroid artery (STA), which is one of the primary arteries supplying to the thyroid gland, constitutes a severe consideration of both surgeons and interventional radiologists. Knowledge of the origin, the trajectory, the branching patterns and the anatomic aberrations of STA are of paramount clinical significance, due to its proximity to the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve and the potentiality of accidental hemorrhage. The present manuscript reports for the first time the anomalous trajectory of the left STA, coursing superficially, through the left sternothyroid muscle and underlines the clinical significance of such aberrations.