In a series of 69 human cadavers (age range 18-95 years), the tortuosity of the lingual artery and its association to age, sex, death of cardiovascular disease and general atherosclerotic state as assessed at necropsy were studied. The tortuosity increased significantly with age, but there were no sex differences. Within the three age groups there were no significant associations between arterial tortuosity and death from cardiovascular disease or general atherosclerotic state.