Thoracoacromial

Thoracoacromial artery (or thoracoacromial trunk) is a short trunk that arises from the second part of the axillary artery, its origin being generally overlapped by the upper edge of the pectoralis minor.

Structure

The thoracoacromial artery is divided into four branches:

1. Clavicular branch (arteria clavicularis; clavicular artery): This artery is ascendant, and its course is pursued under cover of the clavicle; it supplies the subclavius and the neighboring muscles, and may contribute to the supply of the mammary gland.
2. Acromial branch (arteria acromialis; acromial artery): This artery turns lateralward, and, passing through the coracoacromial ligament, supplies the deltoid and pectoralis major, anastomosing with the suprascapular artery and the posterior humeral circumflex artery.
3. Deltoid branch (ramus deltoideus; deltoid branch): This artery runs forward along the upper border of the pectoralis minor, supplies the pectoralis major and mammary gland, and anastomoses with the internal thoracic artery and the lateral thoracic artery.
4. Pectoral branch (ramus pectoralis; pectoral branch): This artery runs forward along the upper border of the pectoralis minor, supplies the pectoralis major and mammary gland, and anastomoses with the internal thoracic artery and the lateral thoracic artery.

Clinical significance

The thoracoacromial artery is an important structure in several surgical procedures, including mastectomy and coronary artery bypass surgery. It is also a landmark in axillary dissection.

See also

• Axillary artery
• Pectoralis minor
• Pectoralis major
• Mammary gland

References

Thoracoacromial Resources
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