Anterior intercostal branches of internal thoracic artery

Anterior Intercostal Branches of Internal Thoracic Artery

The anterior intercostal branches of internal thoracic artery, as depicted in Gray's Anatomy.

The anterior intercostal branches of internal thoracic artery are a group of arteries in the human body that supply blood to the intercostal spaces. They are branches of the internal thoracic artery, which is a major artery of the thorax.

Anatomy

The anterior intercostal branches typically arise in pairs from the internal thoracic artery. They run along the lower borders of the ribs, supplying blood to the intercostal spaces. These arteries are responsible for supplying the intercostal muscles, parietal pleura, and the overlying skin and subcutaneous tissue.

Clinical Significance

Knowledge of the anterior intercostal branches of the internal thoracic artery is important in various surgical procedures involving the thorax, such as thoracotomy and thoracoscopy. Damage to these arteries can result in significant bleeding.

See Also

• Internal thoracic artery
• Intercostal arteries
• Thorax

External Links

• Anterior intercostal branches of internal thoracic artery at AnatomyExpert.com