Unilateral Absence of the Superior Laryngeal Artery With Contralateral Thyroid Cartilage Penetration and a Linguofacial Trunk: A Cadaveric Report

The superior thyroid artery (STA) and its branch, the superior laryngeal artery (SLA), are key vascular structures within the carotid triangle, and variations in their origins, branching patterns, and courses are of significant clinical importance during cervical surgical procedures. A 72-year-old male cadaver of Greek origin demonstrated a rare combination of vascular variations. On the left side, a linguofacial trunk arose from the external carotid artery, while the STA originated from the common carotid artery; notably, the SLA was absent, with no identifiable compensatory arterial supply. On the right side, the STA arose from the external carotid artery in its typical position; however, the SLA followed an aberrant course, penetrating the thyroid cartilage before entering the larynx. This case highlights an exceptional coexistence of arterial variations within the carotid triangle. Awareness of such complex vascular configurations is essential for safe surgical dissection and for minimizing the risk of iatrogenic neurovascular injury during head and neck procedures.