Brachiocephalic artery.
Right horn of aortic sac
Right common carotid artery
Right subclavian artery
Thyroid ima artery (occasionally)
truncus brachiocephalicus
It is the first branch of the aortic arch.[3] Soon after it emerges, the brachiocephalic artery divides into the right common carotid artery and the right subclavian artery.[4]
There is no brachiocephalic artery for the left side of the body. The left common carotid artery and the left subclavian artery come directly off the aortic arch. Despite this, there are two brachiocephalic veins.[5]
Development[edit]
The aortic sac is the embryological precursor of the proximal portion of the aortic arch. It is chronologically the first portion of the aorta to form, and appears as a dilation superior to the truncus arteriosus. Between the two horns of aortic sac, right horn gives rise to the brachiocephalic artery. Then the right horn fuses with the right-sided third and fourth aortic arches, which give rise to the right common carotid artery and the proximal right subclavian artery respectively.[4] Eventually, brachiocephalic artery is derived from ventral aorta, same as ascending aorta. Left horn forms proximal ascending portion of aorta.[7]
Function[edit]
The brachiocephalic artery sends blood from the heart to the right arm, head, and neck.[8] Oxygenated blood from the aortic trunk is taken through the brachiocephalic artery into the right subclavian artery, which transports blood to the right arm, and into the right common carotid artery, where blood is transported to the head and neck.[9]
Clinical significance[edit]
Innominate artery aneurysms represent 3% of all arterial aneurysms. Because there is a risk of thromboembolic complications and spontaneous rupture, surgical repair is usually recommended early on after discovery. Innominate artery aneurysms often present with signs of innominate artery compression syndrome and have a very high risk of rupture.[10] The majority of IA aneurysms are due to atherosclerosis. Other causes include syphilis, tuberculosis, Kawasaki's disease, Takayasu's arteritis, Behçet's disease, connective tissue disease, and angiosarcoma.[10]
Tracheoinnominate fistula (TIF) is a surgical emergency with high mortality rates. Reported incidence is 0.1%-1.0% after tracheostomy. TIF is usually fatal once it bleeds. For the successful management of TIF, treatment should be initiated immediately with special considerations kept in mind.[11]
Several abnormalities of the brachiocephalic artery have been reported. A retroesophageal innominate artery is a rare congenital anomaly.[12] Also, aberrant innominate artery crossing anterior to the trachea just below the thyroid isthmus was reported. Anterior neck surgeries such as bronchoscopies and mediastinoscopies are common and safe procedure, since operating around the trachea, no major vessel is encountered in the surgical field. However, when this type of abnormality is encountered, even minor trauma can lead to mass bleeding culminating in death.[13] Aberrant innominate artery can cause incomplete vascular ring. It does not completely encircle the trachea and esophagus, but some compress either the trachea or esophagus. Anomalous innominate artery originates later from the transverse arch and then crosses the trachea causing anterior tracheal compression.[14]
Brachiocephalic artery
Brachiocephalic trunk
