Detailed investigation of the relationship between the inferior laryngeal nerve including laryngeal branches and ligament of Berry.
BACKGROUND
Studies about the anatomic relationship between the inferior laryngeal nerve (ILN) and the ligament of Berry are insufficient, despite controversy in the literature. In addition, the relationship between the laryngeal branches of the ILN and the ligament of Berry has not been investigated.


METHODS
Sixty specimens (120 sides) were examined for this study, including 41 male and 19 female cadavers between the ages of 40 and 89 years at death.


RESULTS
The nerve trunk or its anterior and posterior laryngeal branches run posterolateral to the ligament in 51 and 39 sides, respectively. The nerve trunk or both its laryngeal branches passed posteromedial to the ligament in 12 and 7 sides, respectively. In seven sides, the anterior branch of the ILN was located posterolateral and the posterior branch was posteromedial to the ligament. In three sides, the anterior (motor) branch of the ILN penetrated the ligament of Berry. In one right side, a nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve arose from the vagal nerve at the level of ligament of Berry. The nerve divided into the anterior and posterior laryngeal branches just above posterior surface of the ligament; both branches extended parallel to it.


CONCLUSIONS
We have shown that the nerve was located not only posterolateral to the ligament but also posteromedial to it. Additionally, unlike other authors, we have shown that the anterior (motor) branch of the recurrent laryngeal nerve penetrated the ligament of Berry in 2.5% of 60 specimens.
Yalçin
Bülent
B
Department of Anatomy, Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey. byalcin@gata.edu.tr
Ozan
Hasan
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008022:Ligaments / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012009:Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000294:innervation