European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Arch of aorta is the continuation of ascending thoracic aorta which lies in the superior mediastinum. It normally gives off three branches they are brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery & left subclavian artery. Abnormal branching patterns are common in arch of aorta. The knowledge about it is very important since there is a recent increase in cardiac & vascular surgeries around the arch of aorta. It is important for us to study the various branching pattern of arch of aorta to give useful details to radiologists,  surgeons & anatomists. AIM & OBJECTIVES: To study the variations in the branching pattern of Arch of aorta and to correlate it with the embryological basis of development of aortic arch arteries. MATERIALS & METHOD: A cross-sectional cadaveric study involved 50 cadavers both male & female, which were used for routine dissection for 1^styear MBBS students in the department of anatomy, Kanyakumari Government Medical college, Asaripallam. RESULT: The arch of aorta was normal in 43 of 50 cadavers. In 7 cadavers it showed variations in branching pattern. 3 types of variations were noted, among that one type is very rare. Variations and incidence were discussed clearly in detail. CONCLUSION: Knowledge about the different branching pattern of Arch of aorta is essential during angiography, aortic, thoracic & neck surgeries.