A cadaveric study of the origin of sublingual artery from facial artery and its clinical significance

Sublingual artery has attracted growing interest among dentists, because vascular injury to the floor of the mouth during the placement of dental implants, in oral surgery. The study was designed to evaluate the variant origin & course of the sublingual artery and its clinical significance. Present study was carried out on 30 formalin fixed adult cadavers of age varying from 35 to 60 years. The variant origin of the sublingual artery from facial artery was identified, colored and photographed. The artery was running deep to mylohyoid and crossed by mylohyoid nerve. Out of 60 specimens, (30 on right side and 30 on left side) in one of the cadaver the right sublingual artery originated from facial artery. The knowledge of variant origin of sublingual artery will conceivably contribute to safer dental implant surgery and more accurate interpretation of angiographic images of arteries in the floor of the mouth. It is also of clinical relevance to the surgeons and radiologists while performing cervicofacial reconstructive surgeries.