Pericardiacophrenic artery

Pericardiacophrenic artery is a small artery that arises from the internal thoracic artery, also known as the internal mammary artery. It descends along the heart in the pericardium, the double-walled sac containing the heart and the roots of the great vessels.

Etymology

The term "pericardiacophrenic" is derived from "peri-", a prefix in Greek meaning "around" or "near"; "kardia", the Greek word for heart; and "phrenic", from the Greek "phren", meaning diaphragm. Thus, "pericardiacophrenic" refers to the artery that runs near the heart and diaphragm.

Anatomy

The pericardiacophrenic artery supplies blood to the pericardium and the diaphragm. It travels with the phrenic nerve in the costomediastinal recess of the pleura, between the lung and the costal cartilages.

Clinical significance

The pericardiacophrenic artery is an important structure in the thorax. Its damage or injury can lead to serious medical conditions such as pericarditis, an inflammation of the pericardium, and pleurisy, an inflammation of the pleura.

Related terms

• Internal thoracic artery
• Pericardium
• Diaphragm
• Phrenic nerve
• Pleura
• Pericarditis
• Pleurisy

Pericardiacophrenic artery Resources
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