Unusual branch of the lingual artery supplies the infrahyoid muscles

Abstract

Infrahyoid muscles are usually supplied by muscular arteries, originating from the superior and inferior thyroid artery and the internal thoracic artery. In this work, we reported a unilateral anatomical variation of the branching pattern of the lingual artery, which was observed during dissection studies at the University of Brescia. We found an accessory branch arising from the root of the lingual artery that run down medially and supplied the infrahyoid muscles. A similar case has not yet been reported in literature. Considering the current use of the infrahyoid muscles as pedicled myocutaneous flap for reconstructing surgical defects in the head and neck, this vascular variation appears interesting to be reported for appropriate clinical and surgical consideration.