Arteries of the thyroid gland (English)

Anterior view of the neck region with the thyroid gland and its arterial supply. The hyoid bone, thyrohyoid membrane, larynx, and trachea are depicted. The superior thyroid artery, a branch of the external carotid artery, supplies the superior portion of the thyroid gland. The inferior portion of the thyroid gland is supplied by the inferior thyroid artery, arising from the thyrocervical trunk, the first branch from the subclavian artery. The arterial supply of the four parathyroid glands (not depicted) occur via the inferior thyroid artery. In some individuals, an anatomical variant, the thyroid ima artery, may be present and contribute to the arterial supply of the thyroid and parathyroid gland.