Source subclavian TA A12.2.08.042 | Dorlands/Elsevier t_20/12826131 FMA 3990 | |
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Branches inferior thyroidsuprascapulartransverse cervicalascending cervical artery Latin Truncus thyreocervicalis | ||
The thyrocervical trunk is a branch of the subclavian artery arising from the first portion of this vessel, i.e. between the origin of the subclavian artery and the inner border of the scalenus anterior muscle. It is located distally to the vertebral artery and proximally to the costocervical trunk.
Branches
It is a short and thick vessel and it divides soon after its origin into four branches:
(Transverse cervical artery is present in about 1/3rd of cases. In rest dorsal scapular and superficial cervical arteries arise separately)(ref Essentials of human anatomy Head and neck A.K. Dutta 5th Edition p94)
The suprascapular artery and transverse cervical artery both head laterally and cross in front of (anterior to) the scalenus anterior muscle and the phrenic nerve. The inferior thyroid artery runs superiorly from the thyrocervical trunk to the inferior portion of the thyroid gland.