ANATOMICAL VARIATION OF POSTERIOR AURICULAR ARTERY

The posterior auricular artery (PAA) usually arises from the posterior border of the external carotid artery (ECA), superior to the occipital artery. Although relatively small, the PAA plays a key role in supplying the scalp, auricular region, and parotid gland, and is frequently employed in pedicled flaps and reconstructive procedures. The present study aimed to describe an anatomical variation of the PAA, with detailed morphometric analysis. A dissection was performed on a 45-year-old male cadaver from the anatomical collection of the Universidade do Estado do Amazonas (UEA). The PAA arose atypically from the anterior border of the ECA, 23.98 mm from the bifurcation of the common carotid artery (CCA). The PAA measured 2.12 mm in diameter and 24.53 mm in length, shorter than the 47.59 mm reported in the literature. Its origin was located 47.77 mm from the external acoustic meatus in the vertical plane and 22.28 mm in the horizontal plane. The artery followed a posterosuperior course, dividing into auricular, mastoid, and transverse nuchal branches. According to the classification of Lee, Kim, and Phi, this case corresponds to class 1, since the artery terminates below the ear helix. In conclusion, this variation highlights the atypical anterior origin and reduced length of the PAA, reinforcing the importance of systematic anatomical studies given its surgical relevance in the cervical and auricular regions.