Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery: Cadaver Case Report

While examining the anatomy of a cadaver in a medical school gross anatomy course, an aortic arch anomaly was discovered. This variant is consistent with an aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA). In this variant the right subclavian artery branches from the most distal part of the aortic arch and runs both retrotracheal and retroesophageal as it courses to the right shoulder. This variant is a result of aberrant development of the aortic arch and may include presenting symptoms such as dysphagia and shortness of breath, if any at all. Additional to the ARSA exists a common bicarotid trunk and a direct branching of the left vertebral artery from the aortic arch, both of which are rare anomalies. The cadaver’s medical history includes dysphagia and stretched esophagus, although the severity is unknown. This case report draws attention to these rare anatomical anomalies and includes a discussion of the most common clinical presentation, and surgical implications of an aberrant right subclavian artery anomaly.