Multiple Tortuous Arteries in Thoracic and Abdominal Walls: A Cadaveric Case Report

Abstract

The thoracic aorta extends from lower border of 4th thoracic vertebra upto the aortic hiatus of thoracic-abdominal diaphragm at the lower border of 12th thoracic vertebra. Then after it continues as abdominal aorta upto lower border of 4th lumbar vertebra where it terminates as common iliac arteries.Commonly the facial, superficial temporal, splenic artery have tortuous course which are routinely taught to the undergraduate students. During routine dissection we noticed variations in the thoracic and abdominal aorta in a female cadaver.The thoracic and the abdominal aorta were found to have a tortuous course instead of a straight course. The bilateral renal arteries were also tortuous. Further the bilateral common iliac and internal and external iliac arteries were also tortuous in their course. Such a case of multiple arteries being tortuous indicates a possibility of arterial tortuosity syndrome which is autosomal recessively inherited. Familial screening is also needed in such cases. Marked tortuosity of the arteries may be an incidental finding and if so, should raise a suspicion for the underlying clinical condition and search for its cause. These many curves in the course of aorta is hazardous for any patient during vascular procedures. Probabilities of blockage or rupture of the arteries increase with the number of twists in the arteries.