| Part | Branches | Course |
|---|---|---|
| First part
From its origin to the medial border of scalenus anterior |
Vertebral artery | Runs cranially in the transverse foramina of the cervical vertebrae, joins the vertebral artery on the contralateral side, forming the basilar artery and joins the circle of Willis. |
| Internal thoracic artery | Runs caudally behind the ribs, giving off anterior intercostal branches, perforating vessels to the breast and terminating in the superior epigastric artery and the musculophrenic artery | |
| Thyrocervical trunk | Very short. Divides into inferior thyroid artery, suprascapular artery and transverse cervical artery (also called cervicodorsal trunk) | |
| Second part
Lying behind scalenus anterior |
Costocervical trunk | Splits into highest intercostal artery and deep cervical artery. |
| Third part
Between the lateral border of scalenus anterior and the outer border of the first rib |
Dorsal scapular artery | From either second or third part. Passes backwards to supply levator scapulae and rhomboids. |
Read more about this topic: Subclavian Artery
Famous quotes containing the word branches:
“I know of no pursuit in which more real and important services can be rendered to any country than by improving its agriculture, its breed of useful animals, and other branches of a husbandman’s cares.”
—George Washington (1732–1799)
“Go to the adolescent who are smothered in family—
Oh how hideous it is
To see three generations of one house gathered together!
It is like an old tree with shoots,
And with some branches rotted and falling.”
—Ezra Pound (1885–1972)
“Certain branches cut
certain leaves fallen
the grapes
cooked and put up
for winter”
—Denise Levertov (b. 1923)