Thyroidea-Ima Artery: Α case report

Thyroidea ima artery is a rare anatomical entity that may present in 3-10% of the general population as an embryonic remaining. It is an accessory vesicle for the blood supply thyroid’s gland isthmus and lower lobe. The artery may also supply the trachea and the parathyroid gland. The artery may origin from the brachiocephalic trunk, the arch of aorta or even from the left common carotid artery. The knowledge of this vascular anatomic anomaly is important for tracheal, thyroid and parathyroid surgeries. We present a rare case of a thyroidea-ima artery (TIA) that was discovered during thyroid surgery.