Truncus Arteriosus_A72154

**Truncus Arteriosus** The heart is of the usual shape and configuration with perhaps more prominent than usual right ventricle. However, instead of separate aorta and pulmonary artery there is a single truncus arteriosus which bifurcates into aortic arch and left-sided common pulmonary artery, around which is a dacron woven fabric band. Immediately distal to the band the pulmonary trunk bifurcates into right and left pulmonary arteries. Right-sided superior and inferior vena cava are identified. The heart and associated great vessels are removed en bloc for whole organ preparation and preservation in paraffin.