A Variation of the Inferior Phrenic Arteries: A Case Report

Arterial anatomic variations and focusing on their path and relations are highly important for clinical, radiological, pathological and surgical diagnosis and treatment. Both inferior phrenic arteries usually originate from the abdominal aorta, just after passing through the aortic hiatus of the diaphragm. They rarely originate from the celiac trunk or from the renal arteries. They have an important role in the blood supply of the diaphragm. Each artery goes upward and laterally to the crus of the diaphragm, near the medial side of the suprarenal gland.

During the regular dissections in the dissecting room of the Anatomy Department (from 2008 - present) in 15 male cadavers with 55 years of age in average, variations in origin of the inferior phrenic arteries were observed in one cadaver. They originated from the celiac trunk.

In the present study there was a variation in the origin of both inferior phrenic arteries. The most common source of origin was abdominal aorta in 14 cadavers, but in one cadaver it originated from the celiac trunk in both sides. This case report provides helpful information about inferior phrenic arteries (variations and relations) also their clinical importance as well. Accurate knowledge about normal and variant origins of inferior phrenic artery is essential in liver tumor treatment and for the radiologists and surgeons