• Description

  • * The subclavian arteries are asymmetric paired arteries that supply blood to the posterior cerebrum, cerebellum, posterior neck, upper limbs, and the superior and anterior chest wall.
  • * On the left side of the body, the subclavian comes directly off the aortic arch. While on the right side, it arises from the brachiocephalic artery when it bifurcates into the subclavian and the right common carotid artery.                                                          

• Branches of Subclavian Artery                                                                                                                                                                                   

Branches of the First Part of the Subclavian Artery

• Vertebral Artery:
  • * First branch of the subclavian artery.
  • * Courses cranially along each side of the neck region and ultimately merges with its counterpart at the pontomedullary junction to form the basilar artery.
  • * Supplies the upper spinal cord, brainstem, cerebellum, and posterior part of the brain.

• Internal Thoracic Artery:
  • * Descends along the inner surface of the anterior chest wall.
  • * Gives rise to several branches along its course to supply the anterior thoracic wall and the breast.

• Thyrocervical Trunk:
  • * It is a short and wide branch that arises close to the medial border of the anterior scalene muscle.
  • * Its major branch, the inferior thyroid artery, supplies several structures in the neck, including the larynx, pharynx, trachea, platysma, esophagus, thyroid, and parathyroid glands.

• Suprascapular Artery:
  • * A branch of the thyrocervical trunk.
  • * Passes over the superior transverse scapular ligament.
  • * Anastomoses with the deep branch of the transverse cervical artery and the circumflex scapular artery around the scapula, providing collateral circulation.
  • * Supplies the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles and the shoulder and acromioclavicular joints.

Branches of the Second Part of Subclavian Artery                                                                                                                                                                            

• Costocervical trunk:
  • * The second (retroscalene) part gives off a single branch called the costocervical trunk
  • * A short artery that supplies the posterior cervical muscles and upper thorax.                                                                   

Branches of the Third Part of Subclavian Artery                                                                                                                                                                

• Dorsal Scapular:
  • * Arises from the subclavian artery but maybe a deep branch of the transverse cervical artery.
  • * Supplies the levator scapulae, rhomboids, and serratus anterior muscles.