Anat Cell Biol.  2025 Mar;58(1):127-131. 10.5115/acb.24.171.

Long linguofacial trunk with infrahyoid origin

• Tudose RC
• Rusu MC
• Toader C
• Rădoi PM

• KMID: 2565964
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5115/acb.24.171

Abstract

The linguofacial trunk (LFT) is the conjoined origin of the lingual (LA) and facial (FA) arteries. We present an uncommon case of LFT due to its origin, length, and diameter. The computed tomography angiogram of an adult male case was evaluated. On the right side, the external carotid artery (ECA) gave off a large LFT before reaching the greater hyoid horn, with an outer diameter of 3.7 mm. The outer diameter of the ECA of 3.4 mm. The ECA and the LFT were on the outer side of the greater hyoid horn. After an ascending course of 20.9 mm anteriorly to the ECA, the LFT branched into the LA and FA. Bilateral elongated styloid processes reaching laterally to the oropharyngeal isthmus were also assessed. In conclusion, care should be taken not to confuse a large LFT with the ECA on the outer side of the greater hyoid horn.

Keyword

Carotid arteries; Lingual artery; Facial artery

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Bilateral course of the facial artery through the submandibular gland near the tip of the styloid process. Coronal computed tomography slice, anteriorly viewed. 1: right styloid process; 1’: left styloid process; 2: right facial artery; 2’: left facial artery; 3: right submandibular gland; 3’: left submandibular gland.

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  Fig. 2 Antero-lateral view of the right carotid arteries. Three-dimensional volume rendering. 1: common carotid artery; 2: external carotid artery; 3: internal carotid artery; 4: internal jugular vein; 5: styloid process; 6: ramus of the mandible; 7: superior thyroid artery; 8: occipital artery; 9: linguofacial trunk; 10: lingual artery; 11: facial artery; 12: superior horn of the thyroid cartilage; 13: greater horn of the hyoid bone; 14: ascending pharyngeal artery.

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  Fig. 3 Axial computed tomography slice through the greater horns of the hyoid bone. Inferior view. 1: right submandibular gland; 2: right linguofacial trunk; 3: right external carotid artery; 4: right internal carotid artery; 5: right greater hyoid horn; 6: epiglottis; 7: left greater hyoid horn; 8: left submandibular gland; 9: left external carotid artery; 10: left internal carotid artery.

Reference

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