Superior thyroid artery
Superior thyroid artery | |
---|---|
Cricothyroid artery | |
Vein | superior thyroid vein |
Supplies | thyroid |
Identifiers | |
Latin | arteria thyreoidea superior |
TA98 | A12.2.05.002 |
TA2 | 4370 |
FMA | 49472 |
Anatomical terminology] |
The superior thyroid artery arises from the
Structure
From its origin under the anterior border of the
To its medial side are the inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle and the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve.
Branches
It distributes twigs to the adjacent muscles, and numerous branches to the
Besides the arteries distributed to the muscles and to the thyroid gland, the branches of the superior thyroid are:
- The infrahyoid branch (or hyoid artery): a small artery that runs along the lower border of the hyoid bone beneath the thyrohyoid muscle. This artery connects with the infrahyoid branch of the opposite side. The infrahyoid branch is a derivative of the second aortic arch.
- The sternocleidomastoid branch runs downward and laterally across the sheath of the sternocleidomastoideus muscle and neighboring muscles and skin; it frequently arises as a separate branch from the external carotid artery.
- The superior laryngeal artery accompanies the internal laryngeal nerve, it pierces the lateral thyrohyoid membrane, and supplies blood to the muscles, mucous membrane, and glands of the larynx, connecting with the branch from the opposite side.
- The cricothyroid artery may contribute to the supply of the larynx. It follows a variable course either superficial or deep to the external laryngeal nerve. It can connect with the artery of the opposite side and with the laryngeal arteries.
Clinical significance
This artery must be ligated at the thyroid when conducting a thyroidectomy. If the artery is severed, but not ligated, it will bleed profusely. In order to gain control of the bleeding, the surgeon may need to extend the original incision laterally to ligate the artery at its origin at the external carotid artery. Furthermore, the external laryngeal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve courses close to the superior thyroid artery, making it at risk of injury during surgery.
See also
Additional images
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Diagram showing the origins of the main branches of the carotid arteries.
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The internal carotid and vertebral arteries. Right side. (Superior thyroid visible at center.)
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The thyroid gland and its relations.
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Side of neck, showing chief surface markings.
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Superior thyroid artery
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Muscles, arteries and nerves of neck.Newborn dissection.
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Muscles, nerves and arteries of neck.Deep dissection. Anterior view.
References
This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 552 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)
External links
- Anatomy figure: 26:02-02 at Human Anatomy Online, SUNY Downstate Medical Center
- lesson5 at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University) (antthyroidgland)