accessory inferior thyroid artery

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The inferior thyroid artery is a branch of the thyrocervical trunk (85%) or subclavian artery (15%) and ascends to enter the thyroid gland on its posterior surface, as well as supplying both the superior and inferior parathyroid glands .

If the artery arises from the subclavian artery, it may be known as the accessory inferior thyroid artery.

The artery is closely related to the ascending limb of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, variably crossing it anteriorly or posteriorly .