Thyroid Foramen in Living Participants and Its Mesoscopic Anatomy

The thyroid foramen (TF) has an average incidence of 27% in cadaveric studies. Protecting the TF is crucial to reducing intraoperative bleeding and postoperative complications. This study aimed to retrospectively verify the incidence, location, size, and contents of the TF in the living participants, and to use the epoxy sheet plastination technology to reveal the mesoscopic anatomy of the TF and its relationship with surrounding structures.

Fifty-two living participants and nine embalmed cadavers were enrolled for this study. The incidence, location, and size of the TF were recorded. The cadaveric specimens were prepared as transverse plastinated slices, and the fine configuration of the TF was examined. The study was approved by the Ethics Committees of The First Affiliated Hospital and Anhui Medical University.

(1) The incidence of the TF in the living participant was 28.8% and its average size was 6.8 ± 0.8 mm². (2) The TF was lined with the inner thyroid perichondrium and covered by the outer pericondrium, which was a tendinous fascia-like structure with various origins. (3) The outer thyroid pericondrium was pieced by the transforaminal vessels and contributed to the perivascular fascia in the TF.

The incidence of the TF in living participants, its mesoscopic anatomy, and relationship with surrounding structures are new contributions that offer a complementary understanding of the TF. Future research perspectives should involve their radiological and surgical expansion to delineate the TF anatomy in various clinical applications.

Not applicable.