Anomalous Branching Pattern of the External Carotid Artery in Cadavers

Background: With increasing use of invasive diagnostic and interventional procedures in cardio-vascular disease, it is important to fi nd out type and frequencies of vascular variations. Variations in the course, branching and distribution of carotid arteries are commonly encountered. Material & Method: In the present study we have observed variations of the branching pattern of external carotid artery. We examined the 30 cadavers during routine dissection. Result: One cadaver had common trunk of lingual, facial and superior thyroid artery on one side (i.e thyrolinguofacial trunk) and in four cadavers there were unilateral common trunk of lingual and facial artery i.e linguofacial trunk. Conclusion: Anatomical knowledge of the origin, course and branching pattern of external carotid artery will be useful during head & neck surgeries. The present study thus provides useful information for clinical application. The clinical importance of this variation is discussed.