An aberrant right subclavian artery in a 63-year-old male cadaver

Abstract

An aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA), also called "arteria lusoria", is described as a right subclavian artery (RSA) with a retro-oesophageal course that most frequently originates as the most distal branch of the aortic arch. The aim of the following study was to present and thoroughly describe a case of an ARSA, its course, branches, and relation to the surrounding anatomical structures and discuss the clinical significance and embryology of this variant. During routine dissection, a 63-year-old male cadaver with an abnormal variant of the RSA was found. The RSA branched off from the aortic arch as the most distal branch. Subsequently, it coursed posteriorly to the trachea and oesophagus at the level of T2 and T3. Abnormalities in the branching pattern of the RSA were also discovered, such as the right vertebral artery originating from the right common carotid artery as its first branch. This study presents a case of an ARSA, which is a rare anatomical variant of the branches of the aortic arch. The course and branching pattern of an aberrant subclavian artery is quite variable, and each variant can be associated with different possible complications. Furthermore, the ARSA is associated with other cardiovascular anomalies, such as the Kommerell's diverticulum. Therefore, knowledge about the possible variations of this anomaly may be of great importance for physicians who encounter this variant in their practice.