Aortic Arch Anatomy: Clarifying a Common Misconception

There is no anatomical structure called the "aortic aoritic arches." The term likely stems from confusion about the aortic arch—the curved portion of the aorta between the ascending and descending thoracic aorta—or the pharyngeal (branchial) arches of embryonic development, which give rise to several arterial structures. The aortic arch itself gives off three major branches: the brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery, and left subclavian artery.