During routine dissection, of the thoracic cavity of 70 years old donated embalmed male cadaver in the Department of Anatomy, K.J. Somaiya Medical College, Sion, Mumbai, India, we observed four branches arising from the superior surface of the arch of aorta. First branch on the right side was the brachiocephalic trunk giving out its two branches – right common carotid artery and right subclavian artery. The second branch found was the left common carotid artery, the third branch was the left vertebral artery and the fourth branch was the left subclavian artery. The vertebral artery is vital to posterior cerebral circulation. The left vertebral artery of aortic origin was found to be narrower and longer as compared to the vertebral artery of subclavian origin. No other associated congenital anomaly was observed. The photographs of the variant origin of the vertebral artery were taken for proper documentation. A knowledge of a morphological variation of the left vertebral artery is considerably important for all diagnostic and surgical procedures in the head and neck region. The present case report should be of significance for clinicians with regard to vascular variations in the neck and thoracic region.