Persistent hypoglossal artery in the fetus

Abstract

The hypoglossal artery in a human fetus studied by post mortem angiography and microdissection is described. In contrast to the fetal form of the trigeminal artery which differs from the adult form by possessing branches supplying the pons and anastomotic branches to the cerebellar and internal auditory arteries, there were no major anatomical differences between the fetal and the adult form of the hypoglossal artery. The incompetence of the vertebral arteries in the presence of a hypoglossal artery is also emphasized.

The early development of the hypoglossal nerve and occipital somites in staged human embryos

“…In rare instances the hypoglossal artery persists postnatally. It is usually part of a large branch of the internal carotid that forms the basilar artery, and one or both vertebral arteries are frequently either hypoplastic or absent (Nakayama et al, 1970;Carbonin et al, 1976;Khodadad, 1977). A persistent hypoglossal artery may even be associated with an aneurysm (Kodama et al, 1976).…”

Association of two primitive carotid-basilar anastomoses and cerebrovascular abnormalities on the brain base: a case report

“…A persistent PTA (PPTA), as cited (18), has been noted in 0.03% to 2.2% of cases. It was discovered in human fetuses (4), neonates and infants (9), in the fourth decade (3,22), or in the elderly-eighth (13,23) and ninth decade of life (19). The PPTA persisted singly and unilaterally (3,4,6,7,9,11,13,15,22,23), or Simultaneous presence of the persistent primitive trigeminal artery and so-called intermediate communicating artery was discovered in a 77-year-old cadaver autopsied due to the myocardial infarction.…”

“…It was discovered in human fetuses (4), neonates and infants (9), in the fourth decade (3,22), or in the elderly-eighth (13,23) and ninth decade of life (19). The PPTA persisted singly and unilaterally (3,4,6,7,9,11,13,15,22,23), or Simultaneous presence of the persistent primitive trigeminal artery and so-called intermediate communicating artery was discovered in a 77-year-old cadaver autopsied due to the myocardial infarction. Many vascular variants and abnormalities such as aplasia of the right vertebral artery (VA), presence of two right posterior cerebral arteries (PCAs), partial duplication of the right superior cerebellar artery, hypoplasia of the pre-communicating part (A1) of the right anterior cerebral artery and the right PCA of basilar origin, a special configuration of the anterior communicating artery (ACoA), and a small aneurysm at the right A1-ACoA junction were associated.…”