From the Research
The right common carotid artery is not an arterial branch of the aortic arch. The aortic arch typically gives rise to three main branches: the brachiocephalic trunk (also called the innominate artery), the left common carotid artery, and the left subclavian artery. The right common carotid artery is not a direct branch of the aortic arch but instead branches from the brachiocephalic trunk after it emerges from the arch. The brachiocephalic trunk divides into the right common carotid artery and the right subclavian artery. This anatomical arrangement is important in understanding blood flow to the head, neck, and upper extremities, and has clinical significance when considering vascular pathologies or surgical approaches involving these vessels, as noted in a study published in 2018 1.
Some key points to consider include:
- The aortic arch may present a plethora of anatomical variations, which may cause a cluster of complications in interventional procedures in surgery and angiography 1.
- A rare case of a common origin of both the common carotid arteries from the brachiocephalic trunk has been reported, highlighting the importance of knowledge of the topographical aortic arch anatomy 1.
- Other studies have also reported variations in the aortic arch, including the presence of a right aortic arch, which can be associated with concomitant vascular abnormalities 2.
- The clinical significance of these variations should not be underestimated, as they can have important implications for surgical approaches and the management of vascular pathologies 2, 3.
In terms of the specific branches of the aortic arch, the following are the typical branches:
- Brachiocephalic artery
- Left common carotid artery
- Left subclavian artery The right common carotid artery, on the other hand, is not a direct branch of the aortic arch, but rather a branch of the brachiocephalic trunk, as noted in a study published in 2001 4.