What is a bovine aortic arch?
Most people have three large arteries originating from the aortic arch: the innominate artery (right brachiocephalic artery), the left common carotid artery, and the left subclavian artery. The most common variant of aortic arch anatomy is termed a bovine arch, in which there are two vessels that arise from the aorta. The more proximal of these is a common trunk of the innominate artery and left common carotid artery. The more distal vessel is the left subclavian artery. This anatomic variant is of no clinical significance except when planning aortic surgery.
