Paramedian ectopic thyroid gland and unusual origin of superior thyroid artery-a case report and review of literature

Ectopic thyroid is considered as one of the developmental anomalies of the thyroid gland. It is usually found in the midline, along the line of descent of thyroid diverticulum. Ectopic thyroid is very rarely found in the lateral part of the neck. During the routine dissection classes for undergraduate medical students, we came across the presence of a laterally placed ectopic thyroid gland. An oval-shaped mass of thyroid tissue was situated on the left side of the neck. It was located superficial to the inferior constrictor muscle, close to its origin from the oblique line of the thyroid cartilage. It was supplied by a branch of superior thyroid artery. Superior thyroid artery arose from the common carotid artery just before its bifurcation into external and internal carotid arteries.