Dnyaneshwar

Abstract

Introduction: The common carotid arteries with their terminal branches provide the major source of arterial blood to the head, neck and brain. Among the arterial branches in the human body, carotid bifurcation is particularly important to avoid fatal mix up with internal carotid artery which supplies brain. A profound knowledge of variations in branching pattern is essential during carotid artery catheterization, carotid endartectomy and in thyroid surgeries to avoid fatal complications. Aims and Objectives: Present study was carried out to observe the origin of additional branches from common carotid arteries, excluding the terminal branches. i.e. internal and external carotid arteries Material and Methods: The present study was carried out in a total of 54 common carotid artery specimens, dissected in 27 embalmed cadavers (23 males, 4 females). Out of these, 27 left CCAs and 27 right CCAs were studied in the department of Anatomy, J.J.M Medical college, Davangere, India. The specimens were studied by detailed dissection method. Results: In the present study, 51.9 0/0 specimens showed additional branches; superior thyroid artery being the commonest (40.70/0).Trifurcation, with the origin of ascending pharyngeal artery at the termination was observed in 1.9% of the common carotid arteries. Conclusions: In the present study, frequent origin of superior thyroid artery from common carotid artery at different levels was found. The incidence of STA origin was higher compared to other studies. Origin of inferior thyroid artery from common carotid artery is the rarest possibility. In the present study, two specimens (3.7%) showed the origin of ITA from CCA. Keywords: Common carotid artery, Superior thyroid artery, Inferior thyroid artery, Trifurcation.

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Abstract

Introduction: The lingual nerve is a branch from posterior trunk of mandibular nerve and is sensory to the tongue, lingual gingivae and conveys postganglionic secretomotor fibres to submandibular, sublingual and anterior lingual glands. The nerve is joined by the chorda tympani branch of the facial nerve, and often by a branch of the inferior alveolar nerve. Submandibular ganglion is connected to the lingual by anterior and posterior filaments.1 Communications between Lingual nerve (LN) and Mylohyoid nerve (MHN) may be the possible explanation for the functional recovery of LN when its get injured during third molar extraction.4 Materials and Methods: A study was carried out in twenty embalmed cadavers and forty lingual nerves were studied by standard dissection method. Results: out of forty lingual nerves studied one lingual nerve was found to be arising from two roots. Anterior (AR) & posterior (PR). Mylohyoid nerve was found to be connected with the submandibular ganglion by two roots (anterior and posterior) and later was found to join the lingual nerve. A CB from LN joined posterior root. Discussion: Kim et al. described the communication between MHN & LN in 12.5% of 32 heads and first mentioned that this communication could provide another route of sensory transmission, being a possible cause of incomplete anaesthesia during dental practice.6 Conclusion: Our study showed multiple variations in one specimen which included variation in its origin (partly taking origin from anterior division of MN along with posterior division), communication with MHN, MHN was connected to submandibular ganglion by two roots. The incidences of all these variations in our study were 2.5%. Keywords: Lingual nerve, Inferior alveolar nerve, Mylohyoid nerve, Submandibular ganglion.

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