A Rare Case Report of a Vertebral Artery Variant Arising From the Aorta With Its Clinical Significance: An Uncommon Anatomy Unveiled

Abstract

The vertebrobasilar (VB) system, comprising two vertebral arteries and one basilar artery, is responsible for providing vital vascular supply to the central nervous system structures. Disruption in this network can lead to fatal neurologic outcomes, and variations in the origin of vessels may contribute to unexplained symptoms of clinical relevance. Therefore, an extensive understanding of the VB system's anatomy and its variations is crucial for diagnosing neurological disorders. Here, we report a case of a vertebral artery variant arising from the aortic arch proximal to the left subclavian artery in the cadaver of a 50-year-old male, discovered incidentally during a teaching dissection session. We also discuss the clinical pathophysiology and the relevance of the neurological symptoms in relation to the anomaly.

Keywords: aberrant vessel; aortic arch origin; case report; extracranial vertebral artery; subclavian artery; variation; vertebral artery; vertebral artery anomalies; vertebral artery dominance; vertebrobasilar system.