Variations of ramification of external carotid artery – common trunks of collateral branches

Summary This research involved 50 patients processed in PZU, »Medicom« Zenica, by the method of MRI-angiography when performing MR of the neck. The way of ramification of the a. carotis externae, that is described in classical anatomy textbooks, where its branches separate as individual branches, is found in 76,6% to 81%, according to the data from the literature available. These data are confirmed by our researches, where presence of this ramification type was found in 84% of the total number of technically accurate MRI angiograms (91 angiogram). In 16% of cases, the branches of a. carotis externae originate as common trunks, or have unusual place of origin (a. carotis communis). A. thyroidea superior in 1,09% originates as common trunk with a. lingualis, but in three cases (3,33%) it originates as common trunk with a. lingualis.