Highest intercostal artery
Encyclopedia
The highest intercostal artery (supreme intercostal artery, superior intercostal artery) is an artery in the human body that usually gives rise to the first and second posterior intercostal arteries
, which supply blood to their corresponding intercostal space
. It usually arises from the costocervical trunk
, which is a branch of the subclavian artery
.
Some anatomists may contend that there is no supreme intercostal artery, only a supreme intercostal vein.
Posterior intercostal arteries
The posterior intercostal arteries are arteries that supply blood to the intercostal spaces.There are eleven posterior intercostal arteries on each side....
, which supply blood to their corresponding intercostal space
Intercostal space
The intercostal space is the space between two ribs . Since there are 12 ribs on each side, there are 11 intercostal spaces, each numbered for the rib superior to it.-Structures in intercostal space:* several kinds of intercostal muscle...
. It usually arises from the costocervical trunk
Costocervical trunk
The costocervical trunk arises from the upper and back part of the subclavian artery, behind the scalenus anterior on the right side, and medial to that muscle on the left side....
, which is a branch of the subclavian artery
Subclavian artery
In human anatomy, the subclavian arteries are two major arteries of the upper thorax , below the clavicle . They receive blood from the top of the aorta...
.
Some anatomists may contend that there is no supreme intercostal artery, only a supreme intercostal vein.
See also
- Supreme intercostal veinSupreme intercostal veinThe supreme intercostal vein is a paired vein that drains the first intercostal space on its corresponding side.It usually drains into the brachiocephalic vein...
- Superior intercostal veinSuperior intercostal veinThe superior intercostal veins are two veins that drain the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th intercostal spaces, one vein for each side of the body.-Right superior intercostal vein:...
- Posterior intercostal veinsPosterior intercostal veinsThe posterior intercostal veins are veins that drain the intercostal spaces posteriorly. They run with their corresponding posterior intercostal artery on the underside of the rib, the vein superior to the artery. Each vein also gives off a dorsal branch that drains blood from the muscles of the...
External links
- http://www.instantanatomy.net/thorax/vessels/aupperintercostalarteries.html