A rare cadaveric finding of ectopic origin of a bronchial artery: surgical and imaging consequences

Bronchial arteries arise normally directly from the descending thoracic aorta, at the level between the fourth and sixth thoracic vertebrae. However, the anatomical variations are very frequent regarding the origin and the number of branches. We present a rare cadaveric finding of an ectopic right bronchial artery originating from the right subclavian artery through a common stem with the right internal mammary artery, and we discuss the clinical significance of this finding. A 72-year-old formalin-embalmed male cadaver was dissected during a routine anatomical course. The right bronchial artery originated from the right subclavian artery with a common stem with the right internal mammary artery. Although ectopic origin of the right bronchial artery from the right internal mammary artery is rare, recognition of this anatomical variation is important in bronchial embolisation due to haemoptysis, in coronary bypass grafting, and in lung transplantation. (Folia Morphol 2013; 72, 1: 78–81)