Anomalous Origin of the Superior Thyroid Artery from the Internal Carotid Artery

Anatomical anomalies in the human body are common, and their description helps physicians and surgeons during treatment. This article presents the discovery of an abnormal arterial branch originating from the internal carotid artery (ICA). Typically, this artery does not give off branches until it passes through the carotid canal, but during a cadaveric dissection of a 58-year-old female, the superior thyroid artery (STA) was found to be originating from the ICA. Some common variations of the origin of the STA are the common carotid and at the bifurcation of the Common carotid, but rarely, has it been seen origination from the ICA. No known health implication of this variation has been reported, although surgeries can become difficult since the artery is used as an anatomical landmark.

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Association of Internal Carotid Artery Injury With Carotid Canal Fractures in Patients With Head Trauma

Yearbook of Diagnostic Radiology ◽

10.1016/s0098-1672(08)70482-x ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 2006 ◽

pp. 362-363

Author(s):

A.G. Osborn

Keyword(s):

Carotid Artery ◽

Internal Carotid Artery ◽

Head Trauma ◽

Internal Carotid ◽

Carotid Artery Injury ◽

Artery Injury ◽

Carotid Canal ◽

Internal Carotid Artery Injury

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Microsurgical Anatomy and Surgical Exposure of the Petrous Segment of the Internal Carotid Artery

Operative Neurosurgery ◽

10.1227/01.neu.0000327037.75571.10 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 63 (suppl_4) ◽

pp. ONS210-ONS239 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Shigeyuki Osawa ◽

Albert L. Rhoton ◽

Necmettin Tanriover ◽

Satoru Shimizu ◽

Kiyotaka Fujii

Keyword(s):

Carotid Artery ◽

Internal Carotid Artery ◽

Sphenoid Sinus ◽

Internal Carotid ◽

Lateral Wall ◽

Common Trunk ◽

Microsurgical Anatomy ◽

Carotid Canal ◽

Complex Relationships ◽

Arteries And Veins

Abstract Objective: The petrous segment of the internal carotid artery has been exposed in the transpetrosal, subtemporal, infratemporal, transnasal, transmaxillary, transfacial, and a variety of transcranial approaches. The objective of the current study was to examine anatomic features of the petrous carotid and its branches as related to the variety of approaches currently being used for its exposure. Methods: Twenty middle fossae from adult cadaveric specimens were examined using magnification of ×3 to ×40 after injection of the arteries and veins with colored silicone. Results: The petrous carotid extends from the entrance into the carotid canal of the petrous part of the temporal bone to its termination at the level of the petrolingual ligament laterally and the lateral wall of the sphenoid sinus medially. The petrous carotid from caudal to rostral was divided into 5 segments: posterior vertical, posterior genu, horizontal, anterior genu, and anterior vertical. Fourteen (70%) of the 20 petrous carotids had branches. The branch that arose from the petrous carotid was either a vidian or periosteal artery or a common trunk that gave rise to both a vidian and 1 or more periosteal arteries. The most frequent branch was a periosteal artery. Conclusion: An understanding of the complex relationships of the petrous carotid provides the basis for surgically accessing any 1 or more of its 5 segments.

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Transoral Endoscopic Localization of the Parapharyngeal Internal Carotid Artery

Journal of Neurological Surgery Part B Skull Base ◽

10.1055/s-0040-1722229 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Guoliang Zhang ◽

Xia Zhao ◽

Guangbin Sun ◽

Nan Gao ◽

Pengcheng Yu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Carotid Artery ◽

Internal Carotid Artery ◽

Internal Carotid ◽

Styloid Process ◽

Transoral Approach ◽

Direct Access ◽

Carotid Canal ◽

Bony Landmarks ◽

The Right ◽

Maxillary Tuberosity

Abstract Objectives To define transoral endoscopic surgical landmarks for the parapharyngeal segment of the internal carotid artery (ppICA) using cadaveric dissection. Materials and Methods Ten fresh cadaveric heads were dissected to demonstrate the parapharyngeal space anatomy and course of the ppICA as seen in a transoral approach. Anatomical measurements of the distance between the ppICA and bony landmarks were recorded and analyzed. Results The stylohyoid ligament, styloglossus, and stylopharyngeus could be considered to be the safe anterior boundary of the ppICA in the transoral approach; among them, the styloid ligament was the most rigid tissue. Dissection between the stylopharyngeus muscle and superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle provides direct access to the ppICA. At the level of the skull base, the distance from the root of the styloid process to the lateral margin of the external aperture of the carotid canal on the left side and on the right side was 8.57 ± 1.97 and 8.80 ± 1.21 mm, respectively. At the level of the maxillary tuberosity, the distance from the ppICA to the maxillary tuberosity on the left side and on the right side was 31.48 ± 2.24 and 31.01 ± 2.88 mm, respectively. Conclusion The endoscopic-assisted transoral approach can facilitate exposure of the ppICA. The root of the styloid process, styloid ligament, and maxillary tuberosity are critical landmarks in the identification of the ppICA in the transoral approach.

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Orbital Vascular And Lymphatic Systems

Surgical Anatomy of the Ocular Adnexa ◽

10.1093/oso/9780199744268.003.0013 ◽

2012 ◽

Author(s):

David Jordan ◽

Louise Mawn ◽

Richard L. Anderson

Keyword(s):

Carotid Artery ◽

Internal Carotid Artery ◽

Cavernous Sinus ◽

Ophthalmic Artery ◽

Internal Carotid ◽

External Carotid Artery ◽

External Carotid ◽

Sympathetic Nerve Fibers ◽

Carotid Canal ◽

Cervical Ganglion

The anatomy of the orbital vascular bed is complex, with tremendous individual variation. The main arterial supply to the orbit is from the ophthalmic artery, a branch of the internal carotid artery. The external carotid artery normally contributes only to a small extent. However, there are a number of orbital branches of the ophthalmic artery that anastomose with adjacent branches from the external carotid artery, creating important anastomotic communications between the internal and external carotid arterial systems. The venous drainage of the orbit occurs mainly via two ophthalmic veins (superior and inferior) that extend to the cavernous sinus, but there are also connections with the pterygoid plexus of veins, as well as some more anteriorly through the angular vein and the infraorbital vein to the facial vein. A working knowledge of the orbital vasculature and lymphatic systems is important during orbital, extraocular, or ocular surgery. Knowing the anatomy of the blood supply helps one avoid injury to the arteries and veins during operative procedures within the orbit or the eyelid. Inadvertent injury to the vasculature not only distorts the anatomy and disrupts a landmark but also prolongs the surgery and might compromise blood flow to an important orbital or ocular structure. Upon entering the cranium, the internal carotid artery passes through the petrous portion of the temporal bone in the carotid canal and enters the cavernous sinus and middle cranial fossa through the superior part of the forame lacerum . It proceeds forward in the cavernous sinus with the abducens nerve along its side. There it is surrounded by sympathetic nerve fibers (the carotid plexus ) derived from the superior cervical ganglion. It then makes an upward S-shaped turn to form the carotid siphon , passing just medial to the oculomotor, trochlear, and ophthalmic nerves (V1). After turning superiorly in the anterior cavernous sinus, the carotid artery perforates the dura at the medial aspect of the anterior clinoid process and turns posteriorly, inferior to the optic nerve.

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Direct Percutaneous Carotid Artery Stenting for a Patient with Absence of the Common Carotid Artery

Interventional Neuroradiology ◽

10.1177/159101991201800312 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 320-325 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

S. Toyota ◽

A. Wakayama ◽

T. Yoshimine

Keyword(s):

Carotid Artery ◽

Internal Carotid Artery ◽

Common Carotid Artery ◽

Carotid Artery Stenosis ◽

Carotid Artery Stenting ◽

Internal Carotid ◽

Postoperative Radiotherapy ◽

Internal Carotid Artery Stenosis ◽

Tonsillar Carcinoma ◽

The Common

A 54-year-old man with symptomatic internal carotid artery stenosis with absence of the common carotid artery (CCA), who had been treated with surgery and postoperative radiotherapy for tonsillar carcinoma, underwent direct percutaneous carotid artery stenting (CAS). To our knowledge, this is the first report of direct percutaneous carotid artery stenting (CAS) for a patient with absent CCA.

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Symptomatic Internal Carotid Agenesis in Children

Case Reports in Pediatrics ◽

10.1155/2020/3290460 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-3

Author(s):

Abdullah Alhaizaey ◽

Ibrahim Alhelali ◽

Musaed Alghamdi ◽

Ahmed Azazy ◽

Mohammed A. Samir

Keyword(s):

Congenital Anomaly ◽

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Carotid Artery ◽

Internal Carotid Artery ◽

Internal Carotid ◽

Rare Congenital Anomaly ◽

Carotid Canal

Carotid artery agenesis is a rare congenital anomaly, and there are controversies in the leading cause for it. We present a 6-year-old girl with resolved focal neurological ischemic stroke that showed bilateral internal carotid artery (ICA) agenesis. Through this paper, we highlight the carotid canal congenital obliteration hypothesis as it may be a risk for such finding.

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High incidence of ICA anterior wall aneurysms in patients with an anomalous origin of the ophthalmic artery: possible relevance to the pathogenesis of aneurysm formation

Journal of Neurosurgery ◽

10.3171/2013.9.jns131030 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 120 (1) ◽

pp. 93-98 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Masahiro Indo ◽

Soichi Oya ◽

Michihiro Tanaka ◽

Toru Matsui

Keyword(s):

Carotid Artery ◽

Internal Carotid Artery ◽

Ophthalmic Artery ◽

Internal Carotid ◽

Medical Center ◽

Anterior Wall ◽

Dissecting Aneurysm ◽

Anomalous Origin ◽

Aneurysm Formation ◽

Saccular Aneurysms

Object Surgery for aneurysms at the anterior wall of the internal carotid artery (ICA), which are also referred to as ICA anterior wall aneurysms, is often challenging. A treatment strategy needs to be determined according to the pathology of the aneurysm—namely, whether the aneurysm is a saccular aneurysm with firm neck walls that would tolerate clipping or coiling, a dissecting aneurysm, or a blood blister–like aneurysm. However, it is not always possible to properly evaluate the condition of the aneurysm before surgery solely based on angiographic findings. Methods The authors focused on the location of the ophthalmic artery (OA) in determining the pathology of ICA anterior wall aneurysms. Between January 2006 and December 2012, diagnostic cerebral angiography, for any reason, was performed on 1643 ICAs in 855 patients at Saitama Medical Center. The authors also investigated the relationship between the origin of the OA and the incidence of ICA anterior wall aneurysms. The pathogenesis was also evaluated for each aneurysm based on findings from both angiography and open surgery to identify any correlation between the location where the OA originated and the conditions of the aneurysm walls. Results Among 1643 ICAs, 31 arteries (1.89%) were accompanied by an anomalous origin of the OA, including 26 OAs originating from the C3 portion, 3 originating from the C4 portion, and 2 originating from the anterior cerebral artery. The incidence of an anomalous origin of the OA had no relationship to age, sex, or side. Internal carotid artery anterior wall aneurysms were observed in 16 (0.97%) of 1643 ICAs. Female patients had a significantly higher risk of having ICA anterior wall aneurysms (p = 0.026). The risk of ICA anterior wall aneurysm formation was approximately 50 times higher in patients with an anomalous origin of the OA (25.8% [8 of 31]) than in those with a normal OA (0.5% [8 of 1612], p < 0.0001). Based on angiographic classifications, saccular aneurysms were significantly more common in patients with an anomalous origin of the OA than in those with a normal OA (p = 0.041). Ten of 16 patients with ICA anterior wall aneurysms underwent craniotomies. Based on the intraoperative findings, all 6 aneurysms with normal OAs were dissecting or blood blister–like aneurysms, not saccular aneurysms. Conclusions There was a close relationship between the location of the OA origin and the predisposition to ICA anterior wall aneurysms. Developmental failure of the OA and subsequent weakness of the vessel wall might account for this phenomenon, as previously reported regarding other aneurysms related to the anomalous development of parent arteries. The data also appear to indicate that ICA anterior wall aneurysms in patients with an anomalous origin of the OA tend to be saccular aneurysms with normal neck walls. These findings provide critical information in determining therapeutic strategies for ICA anterior wall aneurysms.

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Origins and Pathways of Cerebrovascular Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide-Positive Nerves in Rat

Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism ◽

10.1038/jcbfm.1988.117 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 8 (5) ◽

pp. 697-712 ◽

Cited By ~ 182

Author(s):

Norihiro Suzuki ◽

Jan Erik Hardebo ◽

Christer Owman

Keyword(s):

Carotid Artery ◽

Internal Carotid Artery ◽

Middle Cerebral Artery ◽

Cerebral Artery ◽

Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide ◽

Basilar Artery ◽

Internal Carotid ◽

Sphenopalatine Ganglion ◽

Cerebral Blood Vessels ◽

Carotid Canal

In order to clarify the origins and pathways of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VlP)-containing nerve fibers in cerebral blood vessels of rat, denervation experiments and retrograde axonal tracing methods (true blue) were used. Numerous VIP-positive nerve cells were recognized in the sphenopalatine ganglion and in a mini-ganglion (internal carotid mini-ganglion) located on the internal carotid artery in the carotid canal, where the parasympathetic greater superficial petrosal nerve is joined by the sympathetic fibers from the internal carotid nerve, to form the Vidian nerve. VIP fiber bridges in the greater deep petrosal nerve and the internal carotid nerve reached the wall of the internal carotid artery. Two weeks after bilateral removal of the sphenopalatine ganglion or sectioning of the structures in the ethmoidal foramen, VIP fibers in the anterior part of the circle of Willis completely disappeared. Very few remained in the middle cerebral artery, the posterior cerebral artery, and rostral two-thirds of the basilar artery, whereas they remained in the caudal one-third of the basilar artery, the vertebral artery, and intracranial and carotid canal segments of the internal carotid artery. One week after application of true blue to the middle cerebral artery, dye accumulated in the ganglion cells in the sphenopalatine, otic and internal carotid mini-ganglion; some of the cells were positive for VIP. The results show that the VIP nerves in rat cerebral blood vessels originate: (a) in the sphenopalatine, and otic ganglion to innervate the circle of Willis and its branches from anterior and caudally and (b) from the internal carotid mini-ganglion to innervate the internal carotid artery at the level of the carotid canal and to some extent its intracranial extensions.

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