The Contribution of the Micro Dissection of the Occipital Artery to Surgery

Abstract

Objective: The occipital artery has an important role in the vasculature of the scalp. The aim of this study was to determine the origin, location, length, size, and adjacent regions of the occipital artery. Material and Methods: In the present study, occipital artery types were evaluated according to the location, origin, diameter, length, and course; and in relation to the artery with hypoglossal, greater occipital and accessory nerves by bilateral meticulous anatomic microdissection under 4X loop magnification in formalin fixed 14 adult (28 cases) cadavers. Results: The examinations revealed that the occipital artery originated separately from the external carotid artery in 89% of cases. It originated from the posterior auricular artery as an occipitoauricular common trunk in 11% of cases. The hypoglossal nerve formed an apparent hook proximal to the origin of the artery in 52%, distal to the origin of the artery in 4% and at the origin of the artery in 44%. Conclusion: In this study, the anatomical data of the occipital artery will help the surgeons to elevate flaps based on the occipital artery in a safer way as well as to protect the artery during cranial and maxillofacial surgical approaches.