File talk:Surface projections of the organs of the trunk.png

Error: Two brachiocephalic arteries off the aorta instead of one edit

The image depicts two brachiocephalic arteries branching off the aorta on both sides, which then branch into the subclavians arteries and common carotids. I believe this is incorrect - there should only be one brachiocephalic trunk on the right, and the L common carotid and L subclavian arteries should branch directly off the aorta. I am currently learning anatomy, so please correct me if I am wrong.—Preceding unsigned comment added by Nina wicks (talkcontribs) 23:52, 11 September 2010

You are right, for the most part. That configuaration is a variant arch form[1] which makes the use of this image less than ideal.Novangelis (talk) 18:48, 12 September 2010 (UTC)Reply
 
Individual heart component
Thanks for noticing it! Indeed, there appears to be two brachiocephalic arteries. In the individual heart component, however, one may almost discern that the left ones do have separate origins from the aorta. This is more clear on the original source image from Gray's anatomy. Still, that distinction is not visible here, perhaps because the lungs or ribs obscure it. I should have it fixed by the weekend. Mikael Häggström (talk) 04:00, 13 September 2010 (UTC)Reply
 
Source image from Gray's anatomy
 

There's a subtlely in shading in the image in Gray's: the left common carotid is shown over the left subclavian. Because the innomnate vein is overlying, it is difficult to pick up. The subtlety of shading is difficult to pick up in the best of images. I placed an alternate image (a view from a different angle) to the left where the separation is shown clearly, for comparison. I went through the featured pictures a few weeks ago and found your work quite impressive.Novangelis (talk) 13:26, 13 September 2010 (UTC)Reply

Thanks, Novangelis! That other heart image works just fine as well, so replacing the first image with that one would also work. I'll decide by the weekend which way to go. Mikael Häggström (talk) 17:45, 13 September 2010 (UTC)Reply
I've just uploaded a new version where the distinction is more clear. I hope it fixed it. Mikael Häggström (talk) 05:58, 19 September 2010 (UTC)Reply