Thyroid Inferior Artery Topography and Linear Dimensions in Males and Females

The aim of the study is to identify sex-related features of the topography and linear dimensions of the inferior thyroid artery. Material and methods . The study was performed on 56 neck organ complexes, which included the aortic arch, common and external carotid arteries, subclavian arteries, larynx, cervical part of the trachea and esophagus, and on 400 head and neck CT angiography scans. The organ complexes were preliminarily dissected. The arterial bed of the inferior thyroid artery was injected with a colored gelatin-based mass. Subsequently, the specimens were fixed in a 10% formalin solution and underwent final dissection. Photographs of the resulting preparations were analyzed using an overlaid grid. The CT scans were analyzed using the IMV DICOM Viewer software (IMVISION, 2023). For statistical hypothesis testing, the Mann–Whitney U test, the Kruskal–Wallis H test, and the Chi-square (χ 2 ) test were calculated. Results . Differences were established in the level of origin of the inferior thyroid artery between the right and left sides. Sex-related differences were also found in the location of its orifice relative to the inferior pole of the thyroid gland lobe. Furthermore, the presence of statistically significant differences in the length and diameter of the inferior thyroid artery was noted between individuals of different sexes and with varying neck lengths. Conclusion . The study showed differences in the position of the inferior thyroid artery orifice associated with sex and neck length. Furthermore, it was found that the artery forms an arch more often on the right side, at the level of the lower third of the corresponding thyroid lobe.