**1. Introduction**

The one of the most common embryologic vascular abnormalities of the aortic arch is an aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA), known clinically as arteria lusoria (AL) [1].

In approximately 80% of individuals, three arteries arise from the arch of the aorta. From right to left, the brachiocephalic trunk arises (divided into the right common carotid artery and the right subclavian artery), followed by the left common carotid artery, and finally the left subclavian artery (**Figure 1**) [2].

**Figure 1.** Three-dimensional computed tomography reconstruction of the arteries (CT-64-row MDCT scanner, Lightspeed VCT, GE, Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA). Ao—arch of the aorta, BCT—brachiocephalic trunk, LSA—left subclavian artery, LCCA—left common carotid artery, RCCA—right common carotid artery, RSA—right subclavian artery.

When an aberrant right subclavian artery (arteria lusoria) is present, the brachiocephalic trunk is absent and four arteries arise from the arch of the aorta: the right common carotid artery followed by the left common carotid artery, the left subclavian artery, and finally the right subclavian artery, with the most distal left-sided origin (**Figures 2**–**4**). This vessel, the aberrant right subclavian artery, travels to the right arm, crossing the middle line of the body and usually passing behind the esophagus (**Figure 3**) [3, 4]. If the artery compresses neighboring structures or organs, it may produce symptoms, the most common example being compression of the esophagus by the arteria lusoria, which results in a condition called dysphagia lusoria [4].

Although the first description of an aberrant right subclavian artery was provided in 1735 by Hunauld, the clinical entity was presented later [2]. In 1794, David Bayford, a physician from London, England, described a 33-year-old woman who succumbed to malnutrition after 20 years of progressive dysphagia [3]. At autopsy, Dr. Bayford noted esophageal compression by an abnormal right subclavian artery and suggested the term "dysphagia lusoria" to describe The Epidemiological, Morphological, and Clinical Aspects of the Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery (Arteria Lusoria) http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/64604 77

this syndrome. Hence, it is also known as Bayford–Autenrieth dysphagia [3]. Kommerell described its radiological findings in 1936 [4].

**1. Introduction**

subclavian artery (**Figure 1**) [2].

The one of the most common embryologic vascular abnormalities of the aortic arch is an

In approximately 80% of individuals, three arteries arise from the arch of the aorta. From right to left, the brachiocephalic trunk arises (divided into the right common carotid artery and the right subclavian artery), followed by the left common carotid artery, and finally the left

**Figure 1.** Three-dimensional computed tomography reconstruction of the arteries (CT-64-row MDCT scanner, Lightspeed VCT, GE, Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA). Ao—arch of the aorta, BCT—brachiocephalic trunk, LSA—left subclavian artery, LCCA—left common carotid artery, RCCA—right common carotid artery, RSA—right subclavian artery.

When an aberrant right subclavian artery (arteria lusoria) is present, the brachiocephalic trunk is absent and four arteries arise from the arch of the aorta: the right common carotid artery followed by the left common carotid artery, the left subclavian artery, and finally the right subclavian artery, with the most distal left-sided origin (**Figures 2**–**4**). This vessel, the aberrant right subclavian artery, travels to the right arm, crossing the middle line of the body and usually passing behind the esophagus (**Figure 3**) [3, 4]. If the artery compresses neighboring structures or organs, it may produce symptoms, the most common example being compression of the esophagus by the arteria lusoria, which results in a condition called dysphagia lusoria [4].

Although the first description of an aberrant right subclavian artery was provided in 1735 by Hunauld, the clinical entity was presented later [2]. In 1794, David Bayford, a physician from London, England, described a 33-year-old woman who succumbed to malnutrition after 20 years of progressive dysphagia [3]. At autopsy, Dr. Bayford noted esophageal compression by an abnormal right subclavian artery and suggested the term "dysphagia lusoria" to describe

aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA), known clinically as arteria lusoria (AL) [1].

76 Epidemiology of Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases - Attributes of Lifestyle and Nature on Humankind

**Figure 2.** Three-dimensional computed tomography reconstruction of the arteries (CT-64-row MDCT scanner, Lightspeed VCT, GE, Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA). Ao—arch of the aorta, AL—arteria lusoria, LSA—left subclavian artery, LCCA—left common carotid artery, RCCA—right common carotid artery.

**Figure 3.** Computed tomography transverse scan on the level of arch of the aorta. Ao—arch of the aorta, AL—arteria lusoria, E—esophagus, KD—Kommerell's diverticulum, T—trachea.

**Figure 4.** Three-dimensional computed tomography reconstruction of the arteries (CT-64-row MDCT scanner, Light-Speed VCT, GE, Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA). Ao—arch of the aorta, AL—arteria lusoria, KD—Kommerell's diverticulum, LSA—left subclavian artery, LCCA—left common carotid artery, RCCA—right common carotid artery.
