Lateral Position of the External Carotid Artery: A Rare Anomaly?

Abstract

Lateral position of the external carotid artery has been infrequently reported and thus has been considered by many to represent a rare anomaly. In a series of 587 angiograms, this anomaly represents a common finding, with an incidence dependent upon the side of the body and the age of the patient. There was a greater incidence of this finding in patients over 40 years of age, and it was more commonly seen on the right than on the left.