The Common Brachiocephalic Trunk in Cadaveric Studies in Nigeria

Abstract

Normally the brachiocephalic trunk arises from the convexity of the arch of the aorta and terminates by given two branches, the right subclavian and right common carotid arteries. The left common carotid and left subclavian arteries arise as separate branches from the aortic arch. Variations in this arrangement including a common brachiocephalic trunk have been reported in literature outside Africa. Studies from the African continent are still scanty. Some of these variations are associated with other congenital cardiac malformations and of clinical significance. This report documented the observation from 50 cadavers dissected during the period between 2004 and 2009. In one cadaver, only two vessels were seen to originate from the arch of the aorta. The first big trunk gave off the left common carotid artery 1.3 cm from the arch and then divided after another 1.7 cm into two, right common carotid and right subclavian arteries. The vessel was therefore named the common brachiocephalic trunk. The other branch from the arch was the left subclavian artery. The common brachiocphalic trunk is present in 2% of adult Nigerian cadavers.