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Fluoroscopic angiography in the gross anatomy dissection laboratory: Visualizing the aortic arch and its branches in a cadaver
Author(s) -
Vogt Keith M.,
Kauh Courtney Y.,
Holder David M.,
DePhilip Robert M.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
clinical anatomy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.667
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1098-2353
pISSN - 0897-3806
DOI - 10.1002/ca.21080
Subject(s) - medicine , gross anatomy , cadaver , dissection (medical) , anatomy , aortic arch , radiography , presentation (obstetrics) , radiology , fluoroscopy , subclavian artery , angiography , aorta , surgery
We present fluoroscopic images of the aortic arch and its branches obtained in a first year medical gross anatomy teaching laboratory after an aberrant right subclavian artery was discovered during dissection. The aortic arch and its branches in the cadaver were filled with contrast medium in molten agar. After the agar solidified, a portable fluoroscope was used to obtain radiographic images. These post‐mortem images were then compared with computed tomography images obtained while the individual was living. The embryology, prevalence, and clinical findings of this arterial variation are reviewed, and the importance of recognizing the presence of an aberrant right subclavian artery before performing various procedures is discussed. This exercise gave students the unique opportunity to compare the three‐dimensional anatomy seen in the dissection laboratory with the two‐dimensional presentation of that same anatomy in the radiographic images that they will see in clinical practice. Clin. Anat. 24:253–257, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.