Knowledge of the branching pattern of aortic arch is important during supra-aortic angiography, aortic instrumentation, thoracic and neck surgery. The purpose of this study is to describe different branching pattern of arch of aorta in Indian subjects, in order to offer useful data to anatomists, radiologists, vascular surgeons while relating it to the embryological basis. Seventy five arches of adult Indian cadavers were exposed and their branches examined during cadaveric dissection in the Department of Anatomy, Government Medical College, Nagpur. The usual three-branched aortic arch was found in 58 cadavers (77.3%); the 11 (14.66%) remaining aortic arch showed only two branches, out of which one was a common trunk, which incorporated the brachiocephalic trunk and left common carotid and other left subclavian artery and 6 (8%) aortic arches showed direct arch origin of the left vertebral artery. Although the variations are usually asymptomatic, they may cause dyspnoea, dysphasia, intermittent claudication, misinterpretation of radiological examinations and complications during neck and thorax surgery. Knowledge of different patterns of arch of aorta is critical when invading the arch of aorta and its branches by instruments, as all these areas are delicate.
Adult ; Anatomists ; Angiography ; Aorta ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Aphasia ; Brachiocephalic Trunk ; Cadaver ; Humans ; Intermittent Claudication ; Neck ; Subclavian Artery ; Thorax ; Vertebral Artery

The Functional endoscopic sinus surgery through transnasal approach is a common modality of treatment for disorders of the nasal cavity, paranasal air sinuses as well as cranial cavity. The olfactory fossa (OF) is located along the superior aspect of cribriform plate which varies in shape and depth. This variable measurement of the depth of OF is mostly responsible for greater risk of intracranial infiltration during endoscopic procedures in and around the nasal cavity. The morphology of frontal and ethmoid sinus (ES) vary from simple to complex. This cadaveric study is planned to improve the ability of the otolaryngologist, radiologist to understand the possible morphological variations and plan steps of less invasive “precision surgery” to have a safe and complication free procedures. A total of 37 human head regions were included in the study. For classification of OF, Modified Kero’s classification was used. The size, shape and cells of frontal and ES were noted.We found, type II (60.8%) OF was more common followed by type I (29.7%) than type III (9.5%). The shape of frontal sinus was comma shaped (55.4%) followed by oval (18.9%) than irregular (16.2%). Most common two cells type of ES was seen in 50.0% of both anterior and posterior ES. Out of 74 ES, 8.1% of Onodi cells and 14.9% of agger nasi cells were seen.