Unique combination of two arterial variations in the neck. A case report with a proposal for enhancement of the existing classifications

Abstract

Variations in the origin and branching pattern of the superior laryngeal artery are critically crucial for both anatomical understanding and clinical practice, especially for procedures involving the larynx. The superior laryngeal artery typically originates from the superior thyroid artery, a branch of the external carotid artery. However, alternative origins of this artery—such as from the external carotid artery, the common carotid artery, or other branches—have been documented in rare cases. Herein, we present a rare configuration of the external carotid artery branches identified on the left side of the neck of a 76-year-old male cadaver. A shared linguofacial trunk originated from the external carotid artery and then divided into the facial and lingual arteries. Afterward, the lingual artery gave rise to the superior laryngeal artery, which initially coursed horizontally before curving downward toward the larynx. Understanding such anatomical variations is essential for safe and effective surgical intervention and accurate diagnostic imaging, as these patterns can significantly impact surgical approaches in laryngeal procedures, neck reconstructive surgeries, and targeted intra-arterial chemotherapy for cancers affecting the larynx and hypopharynx.