Anomalous branching pattern of the external carotid artery: a case report.

Variations in the branching pattern of the external carotid artery (ECA) are well known and documented. The variation in the present case was compared with those reported before. An anomalous unilateral variation in the branching pattern of the left ECA was observed in a male embalmed cadaver. In this case, the ECA gives a direct branch directly to the submandibular salivary gland, a thyrolingual trunk, an auriculo-occipital trunk and a facial artery with an unusual course. The embryogenesis of such a combination of anomalies is not clear, but the anatomic consequences may have important clinical implications. Anatomical knowledge of the origin, course, and branching pattern of the external carotid artery will be useful to surgeons when ligating the vessels during head and neck surgeries.