Vol 64, No 3 (2005)
Original article
Published online: 2005-06-22
Anatomical variations in the branches of the human aortic arch: a recent study of a South Australian population
Folia Morphol 2005;64(3):217-223.
Abstract
Variations of the branches of the aortic arch are likely to occur as a result of the
altered development of certain branchial arch arteries during the embryonic
period of gestation. In the present investigation the pattern of branches of the
aortic arch was studied in 81 cadavers from a recent South Australian population
of European descent, who have migrated to (n = 38) or were born and
lived in (n = 43) South Australia during the twentieth century. Two principal
variations were noted in the present study. Firstly, in 6 cadavers, the left vertebral
artery originated directly from the arch of the aorta, between the left common
carotid and the left subclavian arteries. The 6 subjects were among the
subgroup born in South Australia, giving an incidence of 13.95%, which is much
higher than in previous reports. The overall incidence of 7.41%, when related to
the whole group, is also higher than incidences reported in other populations.
The presence of this variation suggests that in some individuals part of the aortic
arch is formed from the left 7th inter-segmental artery. Secondly, none of the
cadavers examined had the thyroidea ima artery, contrasting with previously
reported incidences that varied between 4% and 10%. Since all 6 cadavers with
the left vertebral artery variant were born in South Australia, it is suggested that
environmental factors may have contributed to this variation. Significant environmental
changes in South Australia around the turn of the twentieth century
are discussed. This study represents the first systematic investigation of the branches
of the aortic arch in a South Australian population and provides data relevant
to the practice of medicine.
Keywords: angiogenesisvertebral arterythyroidea imadevelopment
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