Radiological Anatomy of the Ethmoidal Arteries: CT Cadaver Study

Abstract

Introduction and objectivesOur aim was to study the radiological anatomy of the ethmoidal arteries. MethodsA descriptive study was performed including CT images of 20 cadaver heads. The specimens were perfused with a radiopaque material and various anatomical parameters were analysed. ResultsThe anterior ethmoidal artery was found in 95% (38/40) of cases. It originated from the ophthalmic artery in 87.5% (34/40) of nasal cavities. In 6 cases, normal variants were found. The mean length of the anterior ethmoidal canal was 8.43±0.74mm. The angle performed into the skull base was 37.3±5.48°. In 90% of cases (36/40), it was located between the second and third lamella. The posterior ethmoidal artery was localised only in 14/40 cases, with 28.5% (4/14) of them showing normal variants. The mean length of the posterior ethmoidal canal was 7.1±1.02mm. The angle performed into the skull base was 7.11±4.07°. The distance from sill to the anterior ethmoid artery was 55.51±5.52mm. The angle between the nasal spine and the anterior ethmoidal canal was 57.67±1.68°. The distance between the nasion and the anterior ethmoidal canal was 29.31±2.53mm, the distance was 11.24±2.14mm from the anterior ethmoid artery to the posterior ethmoid artery and from the posterior ethmoid artery to the optic nerve, 7.26±1.33mm. Supraorbital cells were observed in 15% (6/40) of the cases. ConclusionsA complete vascular study of the ethmoidal arteries was possible by using this technique.