RELATIONSHIP OF EXTERNAL CAROTID ARTERY WITH REFERENCE TO ADJACENT ANATOMICAL LANDMARK: A CADAVERIC STUDY

Abstract

Background & Aim: Anyone practising surgery or medicine should have a firm grasp on the regular anatomy of ECA and its variants, as well as its branches. Both carotid endarterectomy and carotid stenting, which are used to prevent recurrent strokes, necessitate in-depth familiarity with the carotid system. The aim of the present study was to study the relationship of External Carotid Artery with reference to Adjacent Anatomical landmarks in cadavers.

Methods: The present prospective study was done in the Department of Anatomy, RMCRC, Rama University, Kanpur, UP, India, over a period of 1.5 years after obtaining clearance from the institutional ethical clearance committee. 30 hemi-necks obtained from 15 formalin embalmed cadavers (10 male and 5 female) were dissected and the external carotid arteries were traced from the origin to termination.

Results: The ECA took origin at the level of upper border of thyroid cartilage (TC) in 20/30 cases (66.66%). Higher level of origin was noted in the remaining 10 of 30 cases (33.34%). Higher levels of carotid bifurcation were further categorized keeping the TC as anatomical landmark. No lower levels of origin were noted in this study. The anteromedial position of the ECA relative to the ICA at the level of the carotid bifurcation was noted in all the cases.

Conclusion: The anatomical knowledge of relationship of External Carotid Artery with reference to adjacent anatomical landmarks is helpful for vascular surgeons to plan surgeries and prevent complications during various diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.