The thoracoacromial artery (acromiothoracic artery; thoracic axis) is a short trunk that arises from the second part of the
axillary artery
In human anatomy, the axillary artery is a large blood vessel that conveys oxygenated blood to the lateral aspect of the thorax, the axilla (armpit) and the upper limb. Its origin is at the lateral margin of the first rib, before which it is c ...
, its origin being generally overlapped by the upper edge of the
pectoralis minor
Pectoralis minor muscle () is a thin, triangular muscle, situated at the upper part of the chest, beneath the pectoralis major in the human body.
Structure
Attachments
Pectoralis minor muscle arises from the upper margins and outer surfaces ...
.
Structure
Projecting forward to the upper border of the Pectoralis minor, it pierces the
coracoclavicular fascia
The clavipectoral fascia (costocoracoid membrane; coracoclavicular fascia) is a strong fascia situated under cover of the clavicular portion of the pectoralis major.
It occupies the interval between the pectoralis minor and subclavius, and pro ...
and divides into four branches—pectoral, acromial, clavicular, and deltoid.
Additional images
File:Gray523.png, The axillary artery and its branches.
References
External links
*
*
* - "Pectoral Region: Thoracoacromial Artery and its Branches"
* - "The axillary artery and its major branches shown in relation to major landmarks."
{{Authority control
Arteries of the upper limb