The Characteristic And Clinical Significance Of Laryngeal Artery

Objective The aim of present study is to investigate the morphologic characteristic of laryngeal arteriole, and to provide precise anatomic data for 3D radiotherapy of larynx neoplasms, laryngeal transplantation and laryngeal reconstruction. Methods 10 casting cadavers with intact laryngeal (named from 1 to 10 samples) were corroded by hydrochloric acid, the branches of laryngeal arteriole were observed, and the size of vascular was measured by sliding caliper. Another 20 casting cadavers with intact laryngeal (named from 11 to 30 samples) were cast by the mixture of vinyl chloride and barium sulfate. The image datum of laryngeal arteriole in the 11-30 samples was acquired with GE signa MR/I 1.5T MRI and Siemens Somatom Esprit CT by scanning the horizontal plane and vertical plane. Then, these samples were frozen and grinded with 1mm thickness. Thereafter, the position of laryngeal arteriole and surrounding tissues were determined and the location of the vascular supplying blood for laryngeal was analyzed. At last, the other 10 casting cadavers with intact laryngeal (named from 31 to 40 samples) were observed by stereomicroscope (coic xtl 23) at the enlargement factor 7.5-30, and the distribution of laryngeal artery and branches was quantitative analyzed. Results The blood supply for laryngeal was from the branches of arteria thyreoidea superior and inferior. The length of left and right branch of arteria thyreoidea superior was (4.2±0.2)cm and (4.0±0.2)cm, respectively. The diameter of initiation point was (1.5±0.3) mm. The arteria thyreoidea superior diverged seven major branches after entering larynx named as from the first branch to seventh branch, which were located superficial and major supply blood for the encyst and connective tissue of thyroid. The length of left and right branch of arteria thyreoidea inferior was (2.3±0.27)cm and (2.2±0.27) cm, respectively. And the diameter of initiation point was (1.6±0.37)mm, the diameter of intering larynx point was (1.4±0.3) mm and (1.3±0.3) mm, respectively. The arteria thyreoidea inferior was upward along the inner margin of anterior scalenus muscle, at the level of sixth ceruical uertebra was zig inward, then traversed the anterior aspect of collilongus and collilongus and the rear of cranial nerve and sympathetic nerve. At the midpoint of thyroid posterior margin was descent and diverged four major branched after entering larynx named as from the first branch to fourth branch of arteria thyreoidea superior, which distributed in thyroid, windpipe and esophago, etc. Conclusion The datum of size, direction, distribution and micro-vascularity for other tissues/organs of laryngeal arteriole have been obtained with the four morphological methods. Laryngeal arteriole casting is a useful method to investigate the position of laryngeal arteriole and surrounding tissue however not good for the analysis of artery and laryngeal tissue position. MRI was able to pinpoint the position, however not suitable for fine structure display. Frozen grinding method is a complementary for display different layers of laryngeal arteriole by MRI and CT. Stereoscopy is a precise method to quantify the number of laryngeal arteriole. Thereafter, MRI and CT for larynx is an important assistance of 3D-radiation therapy for larynx tumor, laryngeal transplantation and reconstruction in clinical diagnose and imageologic examination, which is better suitable to clinical field.