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Bovine arch

Dr Jeremy Jones and Dr Donna D'Souza et al.

A bovine arch is the most common variant of the aortic arch and occurs when the brachiocephalic (innominate) artery shares a common origin with the left common carotid artery.

Etymology

The name stems from the similarity of this variant with that of a normal bovine arch. A true bovine arch (as found in cattle) has a common single brachiocephalic trunk which trifurcates into bilateral subclavian arteries and a single bicarotid trunk. This variation is very rare in humans.

Presumably somewhere in the animal kingdom is an animal whose aorta actually branches like the so-called bovine pattern. Proposed names are feline/canine/lapine arch.