Objective: To describe the innervation of the thyrohyoideus (TH) muscle and to confirm our findings with stimulation of first cervical (C1) nerve branches.
Study design: Ex vivo phase 1 and clinical phase 2.
Animals: Fourteen head and neck specimens and 17 client-owned horses.
Methods: In phase 1, the cranial nerve (CN) XII and the C1 nerve were dissected with their branches in 20 dissections were performed on 14 specimens (6 left and right side and 8 only left or right) Anatomy was noted. Samples of nerve bifurcations were collected for histological confirmation of anatomical findings. First cervical nerve branches were stimulated in horses undergoing cervical nerve graft to treat laryngeal hemiplegia.
Results: The nerve innervating the TH muscle arose directly from the C1 nerve in 17 of 20 dissections, from an anastomotic branch between CN XII and the C1 nerve in two of 20 dissections, and from the C1 nerve and the anastomotic branch in one of 20 dissections. No direct connection between the TH muscle and CN XII was found. Histological examination revealed that the anastomosis was composed of C1 nerve fibers passing over to CN XII. First cervical stimulation resulted in TH muscle contraction in 16 of 17 horses.
Conclusions: The innervation of the TH muscle originated from the C1 nerve according to dissection, histological, and conduction studies, with variation in the branching pattern.
Clinical significance: Care should be taken to preserve the C1 nerve during prosthetic laryngoplasty. The surgical technique for C1 nerve grafts should be reconsidered in light of these findings, along with new options to treat dorsal displacement of the soft palate..
© 2020 American College of Veterinary Surgeons.