In what location, relative to the inferior thyroid artery (ITA), is the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) found?
A. Medial or posterior to the ITAThe RLN courses within the tracheoesophageal groove after emerging from the vagus nerve at the level of the aortic arch. As it ascends in the neck, the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RNL) may branch, and may pass anterior, posterior, or interdigitate with branches of the ITA. The location of the RLN must be confirmed before the ITA is divided.