Rare bilateral anatomical variation of the lateral thoracic artery: duplicated arteries with unique origins and pathways

The lateral thoracic artery (LTA) is one of six main branches that originate from the axillary artery. The LTA has a textbook origin from the 2nd part of the axillary artery posterior to the pectoralis minor muscle. Contrary to the textbook origin, there are numerous reports of LTA variants that originate from the thoracoacromial artery, subscapular artery, and thoracodorsal artery, or even its duplication. This case report involves description of an additional unique duplicate variant of the LTA, bilaterally. The right duplicate LTA has its origin from the 3rd part of the axillary artery and then courses with the axillary sheath before coursing towards the breast. The right duplicate LTA variant also gives off two small subcutaneous branches in the medial upper arm. The left duplicate LTA has its origin from the brachial artery and courses directly to the breast through the axilla. Additional detail on the variants of the LTA could prove useful in surgical procedures that involve the lateral thorax, chest, and axilla and contribute to broader anatomical knowledge.