Ansa cervicalis – without loop

Ansa cervicalis which is an anastomosing loop formed by descendens hypoglossi and descendens cervicalis is known for its high degree of variation in its formation, course and branching. In the present case we report a variation in the course of descendens cervicalis which instead of lying anterolateral to the internal jugular vein lies medial to it and ends by supplying to superior belly of omohyoid without forming the loop with descendens hypoglossi. Also, before termination it gives branches to sternothyroid, sternohyoid and inferior belly of omohyoid. The descendens hypoglossi is normal in its origin but varies in its course by passing superficial to the common facial vein and terminates by supplying to the superior belly of omohyoid.