This study had been done to compare the variation of the origin of a superior thyroid artery m 152 Koreans with the other races and to clarify the relationship of an external laryngeal nerve and the superior thyroid artery. In 59.2% of the cases, the superior thyroid artery arose from the external carotid artery, and It arose from the carotid bifurcation or the Common carotid artery m each 20.4 % of cases, respectively. The superior thyroid artery was absent m one case which had an anomalous right subclavian artery. The superior thyroid artery ansing from the common carotid artery was more commonly observed on the left side, than on the right side, and the ongm of the superior thyroid artery was shifted proximally m females. The relationship of the superior thyroid artery and the external laryngea1 nerve was observed from the arterial origin to the superior pole of the thyroid gland, and It was classified into 6 groups. Usually(62.0%) the external branch ran posteromedially to the artery. In 20.4 % of cases, the external branch ran adjoining or around the superior thyroid artery.