Aortic Arch Arteries in Man and Domestic Animals: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Background: The arch of aorta in man has three main branches that supply the region of head and neck and upper limbs. The aorta beginning at the base of left ventricle, curves to the right and ascends upto the level of upper border of second right sternocostal joint. In animals the aorta is the main systemic arterial trunk and ascends to curve sharply backwards forming the arch to reach the eighth or ninth thoracic vertebra. The branches arising from the arch of aorta in man supply the head and neck. This study was undertaken to compare the arrangement of branches arising from the aorta considering the differences in posture and locomotion between the animals and man. Materials and Methods: The specimens of the human heart were obtained from the regular dissection done on the cadavers for teaching purpose in the department of Anatomy, P.E.S Institute of medical sciences and research. The heart specimens of the domestic animals were obtained from the local butcher who had legal permission to sacrifice the animals for sale. The heart was removed carefully along with the arch and its branches. 10% formalin was used to transport and preserve the specimens in glass jars. Results: Only one large vessel was seen arising from the convexity of the arch called the Common brachiocephalic trunk (CBCT) in domestic animals.The brachiocephalic trunk arises from the aortic arch and branches cranially. It provides the blood supply for the thoracic limbs, the neck, the head, and the ventral portion of the thorax. The brachiocephalic trunk gave both subclavian arteries and continued as the bicarotid trunk. The bicarotid trunk bifurcates in to left and right common carotid arteries. The left subclavian artery was found to lie at a lower level than the right in the animals in this study. Conclusion: The arrangement of branches of aorta in man and animals is certainly different and this could be due to postural adaptations and haemodynamics specific to the species. This area has potential for research in trying to understand the evolution of cerebro-vascular flow and dominance.

A canine model of aortic arch aneurysm created with autologous pericardium

“…A limitation of this study is that the aortic arches of all domestic animals are different from those of humans. 28 There are only two supra-aortic vessels on the canine aortic arch.…”

The common carotid artery provides significant pressure wave dampening in the young adult sheep

“…An incision via scalpel electrocautery was used to open the skin. The CCA was isolated from approximately 10 cm distal to its origin at the bicarotid trunk [3] which arises from the common brachiocephalic trunk of the aorta, along to within 1 cm proximal to the occipito-vertebral anastomosis. The CCAs were straight in all animals prior to dissection; after dissection in 5 of the 6 animals the vessel was also straight.…”

Aortic branches and rete mirabile of the limbs of two‐toed sloth (Choloepus didactylus)

“…In domestic animals, the ascending aorta emerges from the left ventricle, makes a sharp curve dorsally and inclines to form the aortic arch (Pérez & Endorgan, 2014). Then, the aorta reaches the ventral surface of the eighth or ninth thoracic vertebra, runs caudally as thoracic aorta until it crosses the diaphragmatic aortic hiatus and enters the abdominal cavity (Shakuntala Rao et al, 2016). Subsequently, this becomes the abdominal aorta and emits branches to supply abdominal organs, adjacent muscles and pelvic limbs (Biihrer et al, 2015).…”