The Association of a Retroesophageal Right Subclavian Artery, a Right-Sided Terminating Thoracic Duct, and a Left Vertebral Artery of Aortic Origin: Anatomical and Clinical Considerations

Abstract

The findings in a cadaver demonstrated: (a) an aberrant retroesophageal right subclavian artery (RRSA); (b) a thoracic duct (Th.d.) terminating at the junction of the right internal jugular and subclavian veins ('venous angle'), and (c) a left vertebral artery (LVA) of aortic origin. The origin of the RRSA from the aortic arch was distal and medial to the left subclavian artery and it reached the upper extremity by crossing posterior to the esophagus. The Th.d. ran a normal retroesophageal course in the mediastinum, until it was intercepted by the anomalous subclavian artery. At this level the Th.d. was deflected towards the right and, accompanied by the anomalous artery, reached the right venous angle. The LVA arose from the aortic arch between the left common carotid and the left subclavian arteries, and ascended to the transverse foramen of C6. The practical importance of associations in general is discussed, and the special diagnostic and surgical significance of the RRSA and Th.d. is stressed.