Graduation Date

Spring 5-6-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Programs

Medical Anatomy

First Advisor

Ethan L. Snow

Second Advisor

Travis McCumber

Third Advisor

Matthew Vilburn

Fourth Advisor

William Thorell

Abstract

The trigeminal ganglion (TG) is known to receive its arterial supply from branches of the internal carotid artery (ICA), middle meningeal artery (MMA), accessory meningeal artery (AMA), or superior cerebellar artery (SCA). Existing information about the prevalence and patterns of blood supply to the TG is limited despite their high clinical relevance to basicranial surgeries. The objective of this study is to investigate the source and pattern of arterial supply to TG and discuss their clinical relevance. Left and right TG were examined on 75 embalmed human cadavers from an ethically approved anatomical donor program. A literature review was conducted, and a neurosurgeon was interviewed to convey the clinical relevance of the arterial supply variations. Throughout this study, varied sources and patterns for TG blood supply were observed and recorded for ICA, AMA, and MMA. No occurrences of SCA supply were discovered, so a focused study on tentorial branches supplying TG with a more strategic dissection approach may be warranted. Results from this study are relevant to the surgical treatment of meningiomas, schwannomas, and dural arteriovenous fistulas within Meckel’s cave as they have the potential to compromise blood flow to the TG and affect its function. These variations should be considered when deliberating the treatment of these conditions, and this report provides valuable data and photographic references to aid this process.

Comments

2023 Copyright, the authors

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