What is the second branch of the aorta from right to left?

The second branch of the aorta from right to left is the left common carotid artery. An understanding of the anatomy of the aorta is key to this question. The aorta ascends and arches over the heart, giving rise to three major branches in a specific order. Starting from the right side, the first branch is the brachiocephalic trunk, which later divides into the right common carotid and the right subclavian arteries. The second branch, moving from the right to the left, is the left common carotid artery, which is directly connected and positioned after the brachiocephalic trunk.

When examining the other options, the left subclavian artery is actually the third branch of the aorta, and the aortic arch itself is not a branch but rather the section of the aorta that curves between the ascending aorta and the descending aorta. Hence, the left common carotid artery, being the second branch off the aortic arch, correctly identifies its position and confirms why it is the right answer to the question at hand.