Background: Variations of vessels arising from the aortic arch are
numerous. One of the common anatomical variations is the right
subclavian artery originating as the last branch of the aortic arch.
This is a report of a case of an adult male cadaver with a
retroesophageal right subclavian artery. Objective: To highlight the
significance of a retroesophageal right subclavian artery, especially
its clinical and surgical implications. Method: Is a report of a case
of an anomalous vessel found during routine student dissection of the
chest region in a male cadaver. Result: The retroesophageal subclavian
artery was seen originating as the last branch from the postero-lateral
aspect of the thoracic aorta at the vertebral level T4. The heart was
normal with no other vascular variations seen in this region.
Conclusion: Anatomists and pathologists mainly encounter a
retroesophageal right subclavian artery by chance and is usually
described as asymptomatic, but several clinical conditions have been
associated with its occurrence. This is a clear example of when
knowledge of an anatomical variation is helpful in clinical practice