Variation in the origin of left vertebral artery: A case report

Abstract

The vertebral artery (VA) generally arises from the first part of the subclavian artery on both sides. Multiple variations in the origin of the VA have been reported in the literature, the most common being directly from the arch of aorta, as a branch of the thyrocervical trunk or as a branch of the common carotid or external carotid artery. During routine dissection of the head and neck region in a 65-year-old male cadaver at the Padmashree Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Pimpri, Pune, variation in the origin of the left VA was found. The right VA originated from the superior aspect of the first part of the subclavian artery while the left VA originated directly from the arch of aorta between the left common carotid artery and the left subclavian artery. The left VA varied in its origin topography. It was longer and narrower as compared with the right VA.

Keywords

• Subclavian artery
• vertebral artery
• arch of aorta
• variations