Aberrant subclavian artery, or aberrant subclavian artery syndrome refers to a rare anatomical variant of the origin of the right or left subclavian artery. This abnormality is the most common congenital vascular anomaly of the aortic arch. The aberrant artery usually arises just distal to the left subclavian artery and passes posterior to the mediastinum on its way to the right upper extremity. Such course of this aberrant vessel may cause a vascular ring around a mediastinal structure.

Dysphagia due to an aberrant right subclavian artery is termed dysphagia lusoria. Palsy of the recurrent laryngeal nerve is termed Ortner's syndrome.

External links

• An useful description of the anomaly
• Some images

Anatomical pathology | Congenital disorders