Arteries of UL

Question 0

Internal thoracic course

Answer 0

Descends, inclining anteromedially, posterior to sternal end of clavicle and 1st costal cartilage
Enters thorax to descend in parasternal plane
Gives rise to perforating branches, anterior intercostal, musculophrenic, and superior epigastric arteries

Question 1

Internal thoracic origin

Answer 1

Inferior surface of first part of subclavian artery

Question 2

Thyrocervical trunk origin

Answer 2

Anterior surface of first part of subclavian artery

Question 3

Thyrocervical trunk course

Answer 3

Ascends as a short trunk often giving rise to 2 branches : inferior thyroid artery and cervicodorsal trunk
Cervicodorsal trunk –> suprascapular and dorsal scapular arteries

Question 4

Suprascapular artery origin

Answer 4

Thyrocervical (or direct branch of subclavian)

Question 5

Suprascapular artery course

Answer 5

Passes inferolaterally crossing anterior scalene muscle, phrenic nerve, subclavian artery, and brachial plexus
Runs laterally posterior to clavicle
Passes over transverse scapular ligament to supraspinous fossa
Lateral to scapular spine to infraspinous fossa on posterior surface of scapula

Question 6

Superior thoracic artery origin

Answer 6

First part of axillary artery

Question 7

Superior thoracic artery course

Answer 7

Runs anteromedially along superior border of pectoralis minor
Passes between pec minor and major to thoracic wall
Helps supply first and 2nd intercostal spaces and superior part of serratus anterior

Question 8

Thoraco-acromial artery origin

Answer 8

Second part of axillary artery

Question 9

Thoraco-acromial artery course

Answer 9

Curls around superomedial border of pec minor
Pierces costocoracoid membrane (clavipectoral fascia)
Divides into 4 branches : pectoral, deltoid, acromial, clavicular

Question 10

Lateral thoracic artery origin

Answer 10

Second part of axillary artery

Question 11

Lateral thoracic artery course

Answer 11

Descends along axillary border of pec minor, follows it onto thoracic wall, supplying lateral aspect of breast

Question 12

Circumflex humeral (anterior and posterior) artery origin

Answer 12

Third part of axillary artery

Question 13

Circumflex humeral (anterior and posterior) artery course

Answer 13

Encircle surgical neck of humerus, anastoming with each other laterally
Larger posterior branch transverses quadrangular space

Question 14

Subscapular artery origin

Answer 14

Third part axillary artery

Question 15

Subscapular artery course

Answer 15

Decends from level of inferior border of subscapularis along later border of scapula
Divides into circumflex scapular and thoracodorsal arteries

Question 16

Circumflex scapular artery origin

Answer 16

Subscapular artery

Question 17

Circumflex scapular artery course

Answer 17

Curves around lateral border of scapula to enter infraspinous fossa, anstoming with suprascapular artery

Question 18

Thoracodorsal artery origin

Answer 18

Subscapular artery

Question 19

Thoracodorsal artery course

Answer 19

Continues course of subscapular artery, descending with thoracodorsal nerve to enter apex of lats