Anomalous origin of the left vertebral artery from the arch of the aorta: review of the literature and a case report.

The present report describes an anomalous case of the left vertebral artery arising from the aortic arch between the left common carotid artery and the left subclavian artery in a male cadaver during dissection in an anatomical laboratory. Aortic origin of the vertebral artery is a rare anatomic variant. Detailed knowledge of anomalous origin is important for patients who undergo four-vessel angiography. Normally, the vertebral artery arises from the first part of the subclavian artery on both sides. We also review the anomalous origin of the vertebral artery in the literature and discuss its clinical significance.