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Persistent Hypoglossal Artery

reported incidence between 0.03 and 0.26% on cerebral angiography

the PHA arises from the cervical part of the internal carotid artery at the C1-C2 level

together with the XIIth cranial nerve enters the posterior cranial fossa via the hypoglossal canal

the basilar trunk arises from PHA

the ipsilateral vertebral artery may be hypoplastic

Persistent Hypoglossal Artery

patients may be completely asymptomatic

identification is clinically important before carotid endarterctomy or skull base surgery (both the anterior and posterior cerebral circulation is dependent on the arterial supply of internal carotid artery)

PHA has also been related with increased incidence of aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations and atheroslerotic disease