Vasculature of the Thoracic Wall

Question 1

Course vertically, bilaterally, along the internal surface of the rib cage just lateral to the sternum; receive venous blood from the anterior intercostal, musculophrenic, and superior epigastric veins; drains into the braciocephrenic vein on the same side.

Answer 1

Internal thoracic veins

Question 2

Drain anterior IC spaces and anterior thoracic wall; their venous blood flows into the musculophrenic and internal thoracic veins.

Answer 2

Anterior intercostal veins

Question 3

Located anterior to the vertebral column and usually right of the midline; receives venous blood from all posterior IC spaces and empties in the superior vena cava.

Answer 3

Azygos Vein

Question 4

Drain the posterior region of IC spaces and posterolateral thoracic wall on the right side; empty into the azygos vein.

Answer 4

Posterior intercostal veins (right side).

Question 5

Drain the posterior region of IC spaces and posterolateral thoracic wall on the left side; empty into the accessory hemiazygos or hemiazygos veins, which ultimately terminate in the azygos vein.

Answer 5

Posterior intercostal veins (left side).

Question 6

Located anterior to the vertebral column and usually left of the midline, receives tributaries from the lower left intercostal, esophageal, and accessory hemiazygos veins.

Answer 6

Hemiazygos vein

Question 7

Located anterior to the vertebral column and usually left of the midline; receives tributaries from the fourth to eight posterior intercostal veins on the left side.

Answer 7

Accessory hemiazygos vein

Question 8

Arise from the subclavian artery on each side and descend along the internal surface of the rib cage just lateral to the sternum.

Answer 8

Internal thoracic arteries

Question 9

Arise from the internal thoracic and musculophrenic arteries; supply blood to the anterior region of IC spaces and skin of thoracic wall via anterior cutaneous branches.

Answer 9

Anterior intercostal arteries

Question 10

The medial terminal branch of the internal thoracic artery; descends on the deep surface of the rectus abdominis muscle and anastomoses with the inferior epigastric artery.

Answer 10

Superior epigastric artery

Question 11

The lateral terminal branch of the internal thoracic artery; follows the internal surface of the costal arch and gives rise to the seventh through ninth anterior intercostal.

Answer 11

Musculophrenic artery

Question 12

Supply blood to the posterolateral regions of the IC spaces.

Answer 12

Posterior intercostal arteries

Question 13

Where is the subcostal artery located?

Answer 13

Below the 12th rib.