Location
Suwanee, GA
Start Date
17-4-2026 12:00 PM
End Date
17-4-2026 1:00 PM
Description
Introduction: The typical aortic arch is composed of the brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid, and the subclavian artery. Subsequently, the first section of the subclavian artery typically gives rise to the vertebral artery. In our dissection, we found four arteries branching from the aortic arch, instead of the three previously listed arteries. There are several possible variations for the aortic arch. Additionally, we found an accessory spleen, also known as a supernumerary spleen, with its own vascular supply alongside an anatomically normal spleen. In the typical human body, the celiac trunk gives rise to three arteries including the splenic artery to supply the spleen.
Methods: We discovered the abnormalities during the dissection of a 74-year-old female whose cause of death was respiratory failure. To observe the branches off of the aortic arch we dissected through the longus capitis, scalene muscle, sternocleidomastoid, longus colli, omohyoid, and levator scapulae. During the spleen dissection, the celiac trunk was located along the abdominal aorta, and the splenic artery was followed to the spleen. Once the arteries were cleaned up the anatomical variation was discovered. These dissections were throughout the year in our anatomy laboratory.
Results: Our observations show a vertebral artery arising from the aortic arch when commonly the vertebral artery is found to branch off of the first part of the subclavian artery. This abnormality was present along with the anatomically normal branches of the left subclavian artery and the left common carotid artery, with the vertebral artery running between the two and diving into the 5th transverse foramen of the cervical spine. The accessory spleen was observed to receive its own blood supply from a branch off of the splenic artery.
Discussion: Our cadaveric study was geared towards uncovering possible causes for these anatomical abnormalities. This can be explained by the persistence of intersegmental arteries during embryological development. According to (Onrat, Uluışık, & Ortug, 2021), this abnormality is oftentimes asymptomatic but is significantly associated with the presence of a Stanford Type B aortic dissection. In our cadaver, the variation was found to be asymptomatic. An accessory spleen can arise from a congenital developmental anomaly and occurs in about 10%-30% of individuals. These post-mortem findings revealed vascular abnormalities with a potential embryological etiology with the accessory spleen having the same structure and function as the normal spleen.
Embargo Period
6-1-2026
Included in
A cadaveric case study on vascular and splenic variations
Suwanee, GA
Introduction: The typical aortic arch is composed of the brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid, and the subclavian artery. Subsequently, the first section of the subclavian artery typically gives rise to the vertebral artery. In our dissection, we found four arteries branching from the aortic arch, instead of the three previously listed arteries. There are several possible variations for the aortic arch. Additionally, we found an accessory spleen, also known as a supernumerary spleen, with its own vascular supply alongside an anatomically normal spleen. In the typical human body, the celiac trunk gives rise to three arteries including the splenic artery to supply the spleen.
Methods: We discovered the abnormalities during the dissection of a 74-year-old female whose cause of death was respiratory failure. To observe the branches off of the aortic arch we dissected through the longus capitis, scalene muscle, sternocleidomastoid, longus colli, omohyoid, and levator scapulae. During the spleen dissection, the celiac trunk was located along the abdominal aorta, and the splenic artery was followed to the spleen. Once the arteries were cleaned up the anatomical variation was discovered. These dissections were throughout the year in our anatomy laboratory.
Results: Our observations show a vertebral artery arising from the aortic arch when commonly the vertebral artery is found to branch off of the first part of the subclavian artery. This abnormality was present along with the anatomically normal branches of the left subclavian artery and the left common carotid artery, with the vertebral artery running between the two and diving into the 5th transverse foramen of the cervical spine. The accessory spleen was observed to receive its own blood supply from a branch off of the splenic artery.
Discussion: Our cadaveric study was geared towards uncovering possible causes for these anatomical abnormalities. This can be explained by the persistence of intersegmental arteries during embryological development. According to (Onrat, Uluışık, & Ortug, 2021), this abnormality is oftentimes asymptomatic but is significantly associated with the presence of a Stanford Type B aortic dissection. In our cadaver, the variation was found to be asymptomatic. An accessory spleen can arise from a congenital developmental anomaly and occurs in about 10%-30% of individuals. These post-mortem findings revealed vascular abnormalities with a potential embryological etiology with the accessory spleen having the same structure and function as the normal spleen.