Rare variations in the Origin, Branching Pattern and Course of the Celiac Trunk: Report of Two Cases

Multiple anomalies in the celiac arterial system presents as rare vascular malformations, depicting deviations of the normal vascular developmental pattern. We found a common left gastro-phrenic trunk and a hepato-spleno-mesenteric trunk arising separately from the abdominal aorta in one cadaver. We also found a common hepatic artery and a gastro-splenic trunk arising individually from the abdominal aorta in another cadaver. Even though many variations in the celiac trunk have been described earlier, the complex variations described here are not mentioned and classified by earlier literature. Knowledge of such variations has signifi cance in the surgical and invasive arterial radiological procedures in the upper abdomen.

Anatomical variations in the left coronary artery and its branches

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Proficiency in the anatomy of coronary arteries and their variations is important for proper interpretation of coronary angiographies. The left coronary artery (LCA) commonly originates at the level of the left posterior aortic sinus and normally bifurcates into the anterior interventricular artery and circumflex artery. This study aimed to determine the variations in the LCA and its branches.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The study was conducted on 30 heart specimens. We observed the origin, length and branching pattern of the LCA and its coronary dominance.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>We found a short main LCA trunk in three specimens and a long main LCA trunk in one specimen. In two specimens, the division of the LCA led to three branches. With regard to 'dominance', one specimen showed left dominance while another showed codominance.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Variations of the LCA are clinically relevant, especially when a perioperative coronary perfusion or coronary arteriography is performed.</p>