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A rare cadaveric finding of ectopic origin of a bronchial artery: surgical and imaging consequences
open access
Abstract
Bronchial arteries arise normally directly from the descending thoracic aorta, at the level between the fourth and sixth thoracic vertebra. However the anatomical variations are very frequent regarding the origin or the number of branches. We present a rare cadaveric finding of an ectopic right bronchial artery originating from the right subclavian artery through common stem with the right internal thoracic artery and we discuss the clinical significance of this finding. A 72-year-old formalin-embalmed male cadaver was dissected during a routine anatomical course. The right bronchial artery originated from the right subclavian artery with a common stem with the right internal thoracic artery. Although ectopic origin of the right bronchial artery from the right internal thoracic artery is rare, recognition of this anatomical variation is important in bronchial embolization due to hemoptysis, in coronary bypass grafting and in lung transplantation.
Abstract
Bronchial arteries arise normally directly from the descending thoracic aorta, at the level between the fourth and sixth thoracic vertebra. However the anatomical variations are very frequent regarding the origin or the number of branches. We present a rare cadaveric finding of an ectopic right bronchial artery originating from the right subclavian artery through common stem with the right internal thoracic artery and we discuss the clinical significance of this finding. A 72-year-old formalin-embalmed male cadaver was dissected during a routine anatomical course. The right bronchial artery originated from the right subclavian artery with a common stem with the right internal thoracic artery. Although ectopic origin of the right bronchial artery from the right internal thoracic artery is rare, recognition of this anatomical variation is important in bronchial embolization due to hemoptysis, in coronary bypass grafting and in lung transplantation.
Keywords
bronchial artery; subclavian artery; internal thoracic artery; anatomical variation; bypass; lung transplantation
About this articleTitle
A rare cadaveric finding of ectopic origin of a bronchial artery: surgical and imaging consequences
Journal
Issue
Article type
Case report
Pages
78-81
Published online
2013-03-05
Page views
2126
Article views/downloads
1711
DOI
10.5603/FM.2013.0013
Bibliographic record
Folia Morphol 2013;72(1):78-81.
Keywords
bronchial artery
subclavian artery
internal thoracic artery
anatomical variation
bypass
lung transplantation
Authors
K. Natsis
I. Asouhidou
V. Vizas
M. Didagelos
