During thyroidectomy, which nerves are at risk?

During thyroidectomy, which nerves are at risk?

• A. Both left and right recurrent laryngeal nerves
• B. Left recurrent laryngeal nerve
• C. Right recurrent laryngeal nerve
• D. Recurrent laryngeal nerve

Answer: (A)

Both recurrent laryngeal nerves are at risk during thyroidectomy. These nerves run in the tracheoesophageal groove close to the thyroid gland and the inferior thyroid artery as they course upward to innervate the intrinsic muscles of the larynx (except the cricothyroid). Because the thyroid sits on both sides of the trachea, each side’s nerve can be damaged — the right recurrent laryngeal nerve loops under the subclavian artery before ascending, while the left loops under the aortic arch before ascending. Injury to one side can cause hoarseness from unilateral vocal cord paralysis, so surgeons carefully identify and protect both nerves during the operation.

Both recurrent laryngeal nerves are at risk during thyroidectomy. These nerves run in the tracheoesophageal groove close to the thyroid gland and the inferior thyroid artery as they course upward to innervate the intrinsic muscles of the larynx (except the cricothyroid). Because the thyroid sits on both sides of the trachea, each side’s nerve can be damaged — the right recurrent laryngeal nerve loops under the subclavian artery before ascending, while the left loops under the aortic arch before ascending. Injury to one side can cause hoarseness from unilateral vocal cord paralysis, so surgeons carefully identify and protect both nerves during the operation.