ISSN: 2578-5079
Aortic Origin of Left Vertebral Artery: A Case Report
Objective: To study the abnormalities associated with origin and course of vertebral artery and to discuss the
embryological & clinical significance.
Method: Cadaveric dissection of superior mediastinum showed an abnormal branching pattern of arch of aorta. In
addition to the normal branches an extra artery was found to be arising from the arch of aorta in between left common
carotid and left subclavian artery. We traced this artery to the neck to describe its course and relation.
Observation: The left vertebral artery instead of arising from left subclavian artery took origin from arch of aorta
proximal to the left subclavian artery. The artery had a long prevertebral course before entering into the transverse
foramen of fourth cervical vertebra instead of sixth.
Conclusion: Patients with neurological symptoms and those undergoing surgery in neck and chest region should be
carefully screened for an aberrant origin of vertebral artery. The aortic arch branching pattern has to be taken into
consideration before any manoeuvre in the local region, so as to avoid any unexpected event in relation to aberrant
vertebral artery.
Keywords:
Arch of aorta; Vertebral artery; Subclavian artery; Foramen transversarium
