Work

The lingual-facial-ascending pharyngeal trunk

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Though small, the ascending pharyngeal artery (APA) is surgically significant due to its proximity to the internal carotid artery (ICA) and supply to critical neurovascular structures. We present a unique arterial variant identified by computed tomography angiography (CTA) in a 52-year-old male. On the left side, the APA originated in common with a short linguofacial trunk (LFT) that further gave rise to the lingual and facial arteries (LA and FA), forming a trifurcated LA-FA-APA trunk. On the right side, an independent LFT was present, with the APA originating separately from the external carotid artery (ECA). CTA with three-dimensional reconstruction is essential for detecting rare vascular configurations and should be part of the preoperative evaluation for head and neck surgeries and endovascular procedures.

Source: Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy

DOI: 10.1007/s00276-025-03721-w

Authors: George Triantafyllou, Panagiotis Papadopoulos-Manolarakis, Rǎzvan-Costin Tudose, Mugurel Constantin Rusu, George Tsakotos, Maria Piagkou

Institutions: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mazovian University in Płock, General Hospital of Nikea, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy

Language: English

Topic: Cerebrovascular and Carotid Artery Diseases

Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,990