Origin of the Left Common Carotid Artery from the Brachiocephalic Artery.

Anatomical variations in the origin of the branches of the arch of the aorta are frequent. In this case report the left common carotid artery arose as a branch from the brachiocephalic artery. The left common carotid artery arose at a distance 11mm from the arch of the aorta and had an internal diameter of 9mm.

Morphometric Study of Arch of Aorta and Its Branches.

Aim: The purpose of this study is to understand the anatomical characteristics of arch of aorta and orientations of its major branches. Materials and methods: 60 male cadavers were dissected for arch of aorta and its branches namely brachiocephalic truck, left common carotid and left subclavian arteries. Height of arch of aorta was measured from upper surface of body of sternum. Distances of site of origin of brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery and left subclavian artery were measured from the mid-vertebral line. Angles formed between arch of aorta and its major branches were measured. Inner diameter of the arch of aorta was measured at its commencement and termination. Inner diameters of the three major branches were also measured at their respective origins. The data so obtained was statistically analysed for range, mean and standard deviation. Results:Mean height of summit of arch of aorta fromsternal angle was 39.98 ± 10.05mm (range 23 to 66mm). Origin of brachiocephalic trunk deviated by an average of 1.6 ± 7.53 mm on right side, left common carotid artery origin deviated by an average of 10.28 ± 8.69 mm on left side and left subclavian artery origin deviated by an average of 20.65 ± 9.65mm on left side frommid-vertebral line. Average angles formed by brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery and left subclavian artery with the arch of aorta were 94.79 ± 17.77 degree, 82.44 ± 14.95 degree and 99.71 ± 13.68 degree respectively. Average inner diameter of arch of aorta at its commencement was 20.02 ± 3.26 mm and at termination was 15.88 ± 2.53 mm. Average inner diameters of brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery and left subclavian artery were 9.43 ± 2.17 mm, 6.4 ± 1.22 mm and 7.62 ± 1.76 mm respectively. Conclusion: Knowledge of morphometry of arch of aorta and its major branches shall be helpful for surgeons for performing safe and effective endovascular surgeries.

Brachiocephalic Trunk and Left Common Carotid Artery Arising from Aortic Arch as a Single Trunk.

Branches of aortic arch usually are brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery and left subclavian artery from right to left direction. Arch of aorta show more variations in branching patterns. One among which is origin of only two branches in which brachiocephalic trunk and left common carotid artery arise together as a common trunk and other branch is left subclavian artery. The variations occur due to abnormal development of arch of aorta. During routine dissection of superior mediastinum of thoracic region, we have found the left common carotid artery and brachiocephalic trunk was arising from the arch of aorta as a common trunk. These kinds of variations are very rare and knowledge of which is very important for neck surgeons, cardiologists and interventional radiologists while doing surgeries and instrumentation procedures.

Left Common Carotid Artery Arising From Brachiocephalic Trunk.

Arch of aorta branches into three – the Brachiocephalic trunk, the left common carotid artery and the left subclavian artery. The variations in the branching pattern of arch of aorta are usually incidental findings during surgeries and imaging studies and are important in aortic instrumentaion and head and neck surgeries. In the present case report the left common carotid artery originating from the brachiocephalic trunk and its significance is discussed.

A study of the branching pattern of aortic arch.

The purpose of the present study is the description of the aortic arch branches variation in order to offer useful data to anatomists, radiologists, vascular, neck and thorax surgeons. Methods: A total 46 Indian adult cadavers were used. The authors investigated anatomical variation of the aortic arch and its major branches. Results : The three major branches directly originate from the aortic arch in 38 (82.6 %) ; the 3 ( 6.5%) remaining aortic arch showed only two branches and 5 (10.9 %) aortic arch showed the direct arch origin of left vertebral artery. Interpretation & conclusion: Despite the fact that the variations in question are usually asymptomatic, they may cause dyspnoea, dysphasia, intermittent claudication, misinterpretation of radiology examinations and complications during neck and thorax surgery. This study would provide an anatomical basis to assist surgeons in performing safe vascular surgery involving the aortic arch and its branches.

Morphological Study on the Development of Medial Lamellar Unit in the Wall of Aorta and its Major Branches in Human Fetuses / 대한해부학회지

The structure of the arterial wall is formed and controlled by various hemodynamic factors in the adults and fetuses. Furthermore, recent studies of human fetuses at varying stages confirmed that the number of elastic medial lamellar unit (MLU) increased with age and decreased along it length from arch to lower abdominal aorta. Using human fetuses between 9 to 28 week of development, we traced the change in the number of MLU along the arch of aorta from which 3 major branches, the brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery, left subclavian artery, arose. The number of MLU along the arch of aorta increased with age, but there were regional differences in the increase. Increase in the number of MLU was prominent in the proximal part of the arch before 15 week of development, but in the distal part after 15 week of development. Branch with greater diameter had more MLU. So the brachiocephalic trunk had the most MLU among 3 branches. When compare the sum of number of MLU in one branch (A) and in the arch after origin of branch (B) to the number of MLU in the arch before origin of brahch (C), A+B was always greater than C. This means that the MLU does not form a complete sheet along the aorta and new MLU is added to the wall of branch probably due to shear stress.