Levator Glandulae Thyroideae

Background: Levator Glandulae Thyroideae (LGT) is an accessory fibromuscular band that originates from the hyoid bone and inserts on the thyroid gland. It is an embryological remnant of contested origin and functions in elevation of the thyroid gland. The incidence of LGT is suggested to be approximately 1 in 6. Case Information: During routine dissection of a 70-year-old African American male cadaver a midline Levator Glandulae Thyroideae muscle was discovered which contained glandular tissue of the pyramidal lobe of the thyroid. The muscle fibers originated from the left side of the hyoid bone and passed superficially over the thyroid cartilage with insertion into the right side of the thyroid gland. Upon deeper dissection, it was noted that the LGT created a permanent indentation within the left aspect of the thyroid cartilage notch. This cadaver was noted to also have an anatomical variation in his neck region with his left external jugular vein coursing superficially to the clavicle. The cause of death is suspected to be unrelated and was noted to be metastatic esophageal carcinoma. Conclusions: Variations in cervical anatomy are common and knowledge of these variants is critical for surgeons to achieve quality patient outcomes. Clinicians using ultrasonography and CT imaging should be aware of the LGT to prevent a misdiagnosis of tumor or thyroglossal duct infection. While further study is needed to determine the embryological origin of the LGT, we postulate that the impression in the thyroid cartilage will help anatomists discover those details.