The thyroid gland is an organ of the human body, the production of hormones for which is the main function. It consists of two lobes and an isthmus. Blood vessels run between the lobes of the thyroid gland. Iron is very actively receiving blood supply. In this case, the rate of blood flow in the thyroid gland is approximately 5 ml / g every minute. The blood flow in the thyroid tissue is about 50 times more intense than the blood flow in the muscles of the human body. In some diseases that cause an increase in the production of hormones, the flow rate in the thyroid gland can still be significantly accelerated. 

Thyroid vessels

Thyroid vessels are composed of several arteries and veins. The supply of blood to the thyroid gland is due to the paired upper and lower thyroid arteries, which are paired. Another artery is also involved in the blood supply, it is located below all. The veins formed in the thyroid gland are many plexuses. The outflow of blood occurs through the veins (upper and lower), and also through the Kocher vein (lateral).

The arteries of the thyroid gland play a major role in the formation and implementation of blood circulation in the head and neck. Two systems of lateral additional branches of blood flow (collaterals) and a rather branched network of connections or anastomoses (anastomoses) are formed from the arteries. Arteries form the intraorgan and extraorgan additional branches of the bloodstream.

Superior thyroid artery

The superior thyroid artery mainly supplies blood to the anterior surface of the thyroid gland. This artery begins in the region of the carotid triangle. The artery is divided into two branches. She drops down, heading forward. As a result, this vessel goes to the lateral lobe of the thyroid gland, to its top.

The posterior branches of the upper and lower thyroid arteries are connected and descend down behind the gland, along its surface. Thus, its blood supply occurs. The posterior branch also creates anastomosis with other arterial vessels. The anterior branch of the vessel, carrying out the blood supply, goes down in front of the gland. It is somewhat larger than the back. There are several options for the structure of the superior artery:

• the artery can be located at different levels: both above and below; the artery in its location is capable of going down quite significantly;
•  it can start at the base of different arteries.

Inferior thyroid artery

The lower thyroid artery is somewhat larger in size than the upper one. This artery is located so that it is directed upward in an arcuate manner. Behind the internal jugular vein, it touches the lower part of the thyroid gland.

At this point, the arterial vessel connects to the branches of the superior artery, often with other branches. The artery is divided into ramifications that penetrate the gland and carry out its nutrition, but mainly, the posterior part.

There are also several types of the structure of the lower thyroid artery:

• it can begin at the aortic arch or in another place, higher or lower;
• there are many options for branching arteries.

Lower unpaired artery

An unpaired artery, which is the lowest, rises from the bottom up to the gland. Its role in the blood supply to the thyroid gland is mainly to provide blood to the isthmus of the gland. This unpaired artery occurs in 10%. It usually begins at the aortic arch and takes its place in front of the trachea. But it can be located in a different way.