Rare Variation in the Right Vertebral Artery

The variations of vertebral artery are important with regard to their potential clinical impact .The study reports the variation of course of right vertebral artery in male cadaver. The vertebral arteries arise from the superioposterior aspect of the first part of subclavian artery. The vessel takes a vertical course to enter into the transverse foramen of sixth cervical vertebra. Right vertebral artery in its course in the neck ascends between the carotid sheath and prevertebral fascia. But in this case, right vertebral artery at level of C3 pierced the prevertebral fascia to reach the transverse foramen of C3 .The length of this part is longer than normal size, but its lumen was normal.In international literature, the incidence of vertebral artery passing through C3 transverse foramen is seen in approximately 0.2% of the studied population. No anthropometric parameter has shown this case in Iran.