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ABSTRACT
Background
The aortic arch is the section between the ascending and the descending aorta and has three major branches that distribute blood to the head and upper extremities. The literature suggests that the aortic arch branching patterns may vary in prevalence and may be population- and sex-specific. The purpose of this study was to assess the branching patterns of the aortic arch using a sample of South African cadavers.
Method
Thirty-five adult cadavers (n=20 African descent; n=15 European descent) of south Africa with unequal sex distribution (n=25 males; n=10 females) were dissected in the dissection halls of the Anatomy department of Sefako Makgatho Health Science University. The branching patterns of the aortic arch were recorded and analysed in terms of frequencies, sex and population specificity.
Result
The study examined the aortic branch patterns of eight males and seven females of European descent, as well as of 17 males and three females of African descent and found that 29 (82.86%) of the cadavers presented the common pattern of aortic branches, while the common variant known as the bovine arch had a prevalence of 6 (17.14%). There were no cases of bovine arch among South Africans of European ancestry, while a sex prevalence ratio of 5:1 was documented between males and females South African of African ancestry.
Conclusion
This study supports the hypothesis that variations in the branches of the aortic arch are more common in individuals of African ancestry than in those of European descent. Furthermore, the study also supports the claim that the incidence of bovine arch is higher in males than in females, although from a small sample size. Appropriate knowledge of the possible variations of the great vessel system is essential for endovascular interventions and diagnostic radiology.