A Case of Atypical Origin of Superior Laryngeal Artery: Anatomical and Clinical Relevance

The superior laryngeal artery (SLA) is considered a typical branch of the superior thyroid artery and serves as a primary source of blood supply of the larynx. The present case describes an atypical origin of the left SLA from the external carotid artery – a rarely observed anatomical variant. The review of literature reveals multiple documented variations in SLA origin with important clinical relevance for surgical procedures, such as thyroidectomy, laryngectomy, and targeted intra-arterial chemotherapy for laryngeal cancer. The detailed knowledge of SLA variations reduces the risk of surgical and postoperative complications in the neck region.