The variations of the subclavian artery and its branches.

This study reports important variations in branches of the subclavian artery in a singular cadaver. The origin of the left vertebral artery was from the aortic arch. On the right side, no thyrocervical trunk was found. The two branches which normally originate from the thyrocervical trunk had a different origin. The transverse cervical artery arose directly from the subclavian artery and suprascapular artery originated from the internal thoracic artery. This variation provides a short route for posterior scapular anastomoses. An awareness of this rare variation is important because this area is used for diagnostic and surgical procedures.