Continuation of the ascending cervical artery as the occipital artery in man.

We report an elderly male cadaver with unilateral anomalous continuation of the ascending cervical artery as the occipital artery. The ascending cervical artery was enlarged from its origin and supplied segmental branches through the intervertebral foramina. At the upper cervical spine, the ascending cervical artery continued as the occipital artery providing the branches normally seen stemming from this artery. No other vascular anomalies were noted in this specimen. This anatomical curiosity should be kept in mind by the clinician or academic who may manipulate this anatomical area.