A rare variant of thyroid gland vascularization

Area of Science:

• Anatomy
• Vascular Anatomy
• Surgical Anatomy

Background:

• The thyroid gland typically receives blood supply from the superior and inferior thyroid arteries.
• The superior thyroid arteries usually originate from the external carotid arteries.
• The inferior thyroid arteries commonly arise from the thyrocervical trunk of the subclavian artery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document and describe unusual variations in the arterial supply of the thyroid gland.
• To investigate the anatomical basis for aberrant thyroid artery origins.

Main Methods:

• Detailed anatomical dissection and observation.
• Comparison with established anatomical literature on thyroid vasculature.

Main Results:

• The right inferior thyroid artery originated from the right internal thoracic artery.
• The left inferior thyroid artery originated from the vertebral artery, between the C2 and C3 transverse processes.
• These variations represent a significant departure from the typical vascular pattern.

Conclusions:

• Anatomical variations in the thyroid arteries can occur, with unique origins for the inferior thyroid arteries.
• Embryological development, involving ventral anastomotic arterial chains, may explain these observed variations.
• Awareness of these variations is crucial for surgical procedures involving the neck and thyroid region.