Variant anatomy of the aortic arch

Last revised by Ashesh Ishwarlal Ranchod on 2 Jul 2023

Variant anatomy of the aortic arch occurs when there is failure of normal aortic development. It results in a number of heterogenous anomalies of the aorta and its branch vessels.

Gross anatomy

Normally, the aorta ascends in the superior mediastinum to the level of the sternal notch before arching posteriorly and descending in the left hemithorax. The arch gives off three branch vessels, the brachiocephalic (also called the innominate), left common carotid and left subclavian arteries.

Aortic development is a complex process that takes place during the third week of gestation. During development, the two dorsal aortae fuse to form the descending aorta, the ventral aortic limbs fuse to form the aortic sac, the left 4th arch vessel becomes the aortic arch and the right 4th arch vessel becomes atretic distally.

Variant anatomy

Common arch anomalies

When there is departure from normal development, variant anatomy occurs. Commonly, failure of normal regression of the 4th arch vessels results in a double aortic arch or right-sided aortic arch.

Other arch anomalies
Branch vessel anomalies

Abnormal formation of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd arch vessels results in abnormal branch vessels:

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