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Skull Base 2009; 19(5): 311-317
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1115323
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

© Thieme Medical Publishers

Morphological Characteristics of the Anterior Ethmoidal Artery in Ethmoid Roof and Endoscopic Localization

You-xiong Yang1 , Qin-kang Lu2 , Jian-chun Liao3 , Rui-shan Dang4
  • 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The Second Yinzhou People's Hospital, Ningbo, China
  • 2Department of Ophthalmology, Yinzhou People's Hospital, Ningbo, China
  • 3Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The Affiliated Changzheng Hospital of Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
  • 4Department of Human Anatomy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
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Publication History

Publication Date:
19 January 2009 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Objectives: To provide anatomical data to help identify and locate the anterior ethmoidal artery (AEA) precisely during endoscopic procedures. Method: We dissected 15 adult cadaver heads, which provided 30 specimens, to study morphological characteristics, courses, and several types of variations. Results: We found the average diameter of the AEA to be 0.80 ± 0.24 mm. In 85.7% of the cases, the artery was seen between the second and third lamella. Other locations were over the roof of the frontal recess cells (10.7%) and the roof of the posterior ethmoid sinus (3.6%). The AEA ran parallel to the ethmoid roof and formed a slight curve. When viewed from the superior side, the angle formed by the long axis of the artery and the lamina papyracea was 60.5 degrees ± 16.4 degrees. In 83.3% of the cases, the anterior ethmoidal canal (AEC) was identified as a separate canal, and in 16.7% the canal was embedded in the ethmoid roof. In 10 of the 30 cases (33.3%), the AEC presented some degree of dehiscence. Conclusion: As a result of these dissections, we found that the AEA's course in the ethmoid roof varies. The morphological characteristics—that the AEA runs parallel to the ethmoid roof, forming a slight posterolateral to anteromedial curve as it passes from the orbit to the cribriform plate—are the most reliable factors used to identify the artery during surgery.

KEYWORDS

Anterior ethmoidal artery - anterior ethmoidal canal - ethmoid roof

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Jian-chun Liao

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The Affiliated Changzheng Hospital of Second Military Medical University

Shanghai, China

Email: abLiaojc@163.com