Objectives: Thyroidectomy is one of the commonly performed procedures in head and neck surgery. Injury to the external branch of superior laryngeal nerve occurs frequently in thyroid surgery which can result in voice changes in the patient. The aim of the present study is to study the anatomical relationship between external branch of superior laryngeal nerve and superior thyroid artery. Methods: Sixty specimens of the thyroid gland of both sexes were studied. The distance between superior pole of thyroid gland and crossing point of superior thyroid artery and external branch of superior laryngeal nerve was measured and recorded. Results: The external laryngeal nerve was categorized into three types. In 63 (52.5%) cases the nerve crossed the superior thyroid artery more than 1cm (type1) and in 47 (39.16%) cases it crossed the artery less than 1cm (type 2a) above the upper pole of the thyroid gland. In 10 (8.33%) cases the nerve crossed the artery under cover (type 2b) of upper pole of the thyroid gland. Conclusions: A sound knowledge of the anatomy of the external laryngeal nerve and its relation to superior thyroid artery and superior pole of thyroid gland is helpful to minimize lesions of the nerve and perform safe surgery on thyroid gland.