Anomalous Origin of the Left Vertebral Artery

Variations of major arterial vessels are of clinical significance. The vertebral artery (VA) normally arises from the subclavian artery. The present report describes an anomalous origin of the left vertebral artery (LVA) from the aortic arch between the origin of the left subclavian and the left common carotid arteries. This artery was crossed superficially from medial to lateral by the left sympathetic trunk. The left and right VA entered the foramen on the transverse process of the fifth cervical vertebra. Though the anomalous origin of the VA is known, its origin and entry through the transverse foramen and its relations with sympathetic trunk are of importance during clinical and vascular procedures in the head and neck region like carotid artery stents, VA stents and intracranial interventions.