Anatomical conundrum: unusual position of the aortic arch.
At autopsy on a 72-year-old woman, the aortic arch showed an unusual arrangement, passing behind the trachea and esophagus and descending on the left side. The heart was normal, and death was due to unrelated causes. The nature of this anomaly is considered in respect of embryological development.
Gerlis
L M
LM
Department of Paediatrics, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College School of Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
Anderson
R H
RH
D000368:Aged; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000002:abnormalities*; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008022:Ligaments / Q000002:abnormalities; D013348:Subclavian Artery / Q000002:abnormalities