Eur J Anat, 19 (1): 43-47 (2015)

Anatomical variations in the branching pattern of human aortic arch: a cadaveric study from Nepal

Ajit Kumar1 and Amarnath Mishra2

¹Department of Anatomy, Tribhuvan University, National Medical College, Birgunj, Parsa, Nepal and ²Department of Forensic Medicine, Tribhuvan University, National Medical College, Birgunj, Parsa, Nepal

ABSTRACT Variations of the branches of the aortic arch are due to alteration in the development of certain branchial arch arteries during the embryonic period. Knowledge of these variations is important during aortic instrumentation, thoracic, and neck surgeries. In the present study we observed these variations in forty-two cadavers from Nepal populations. In thirty-five (83.3%) cadavers, the aortic arch showed a classical branching pattern which includes brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery, and left subclavian artery. In seven (16.7%) cadavers it showed variations in the branching pattern, which include the two branches, namely, left subclavian artery and a common trunk in 2.4% cases, four branches, namely, brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery, left vertebral artery, and left subclavian artery in 11.9% cases, and the four branches, namely, right common carotid artery, left common carotid artery, left subclavian artery and right subclavian artery in 2.4% cases.

Keywords: Variation, Aortic arch, Mid-vertebrae line