Aortic Arch Variations: Embryological Basis and Surgical Correlation

Branching patterns of the aortic arch were studied in 60 formalin fixed cadavers of both sexes of Indian origin, aged 40-70. The dissections were carried out and the aortic arch variations were observed after exposing the thoracic and cervical region during routine dissection for undergraduate M.B.B.S. students in Subharti Medical College, Meerut. The usual three branched aortic arch was found in 57 cadavers. Variations were found in 3 cadavers. Variations include common trunk of origin for brachiocephalic trunk and left common carotid artery, left vertebral artery arising directly from arch of aorta and brachiocephalic trunk arising from left side of aortic arch. In the present study the variations are discussed along with embryological basis and surgical correlation. Sometime these variations are merely observed as autopsy findings.