Origin of the brachiocephalic trunk, left carotid, and left subclavian arteries from the arch of the human aorta.

We measured branching angles of the brachiocephalic trunk, left carotid, and left subclavian arteries at their points of origin from the arch in 117 human specimens. We compared the measured angles with theoretical values commonly used in the study of arterial branching, and examined possible correlations with age and with the presence of atherosclerotic lesions. The results may be useful in the modelling and analysis of hemodynamic factors in the pathogenesis of vascular disease at these junctions and may be of some interest in clinical angiography. The junctions are important gateways for blood supply to the head and upper limbs and often are involved with lesions that affect blood supply to the brain.