Background: The information on the branching pattern of external carotid artery helps clinicians during arterial imaging studies and surgeries of neck.There is increased possibility of iatrogenic injury to carotid arterial system if there is high level of unpredictability. These variations of external carotid artery are important during surgeries like thyroidectomy, laryngectomy, tonsillectomy, faciomaxillary, glossectomy and other neck surgeries. Materials and Methods: 42 (30 male and 12 female) human cadavers allotted to first M.B.B.S students at Government Mohan
Kumaramangalam Medical College during the years 2012­2017 were studied to examine individual differences in external carotid arterial branching pattern. The origin of superior thyroid, lingual and facial arteries were noted. Results: Superior thyroid artery arises mostly from external carotid artery in right side when compared to left side. Variant origin of superior thyroid from common carotid artery is most common in left side. Linguofacial trunk is occurring more on the right side when compared with the left side. Conclusion: Head and neck surgeons must be cautious about the variable anatomy of the external carotid artery because of its clinical importance. Radiologists, while interpretation of various imaging studies, should be aware of these possibilities in the branching pattern of external carotid artery.