Pectoral branches of thoraco-acromial artery
Rami pectorales arteriae thoracoacromialis
The branches of the thoraco-acromial artery that run down between the two pectoral muscles to supply them.
At a glance
- English
- Pectoral branches of thoraco-acromial artery
- Latin (TA2)
- Rami pectorales arteriae thoracoacromialis
- System
- Artery
- Region
- Trunk
- Side
- Paired, left and right
About the pectoral branches of thoraco-acromial artery
The thoraco-acromial artery is a short, wide trunk from the second part of the axillary artery, the part that lies behind pectoralis minor. It curls round the upper border of that muscle, pierces the clavipectoral fascia and at once divides into four sets of branches: pectoral, deltoid, acromial and clavicular. The pectoral branches are usually the largest.
They descend in the plane between pectoralis major and pectoralis minor, sending twigs into both muscles from their deep surfaces. They travel with the lateral pectoral nerve, which also pierces the clavipectoral fascia and enters the deep surface of pectoralis major. Along their course the pectoral branches link with the lateral thoracic artery and with intercostal branches of the internal thoracic artery, so the front of the chest wall has a rich network of anastomoses.
Their main practical importance is in reconstructive surgery. The pectoralis major myocutaneous flap is based on the pectoral branch of the thoraco-acromial artery: the muscle, with a paddle of skin, is detached from its other attachments and swung up on this vessel to cover defects in the head and neck. On the deep surface of the muscle the vessel runs down from about the middle of the clavicle and then along a line from the acromion towards the xiphoid process.
In operations in the axilla and on the chest wall, the branches and their companion nerve are kept in view, since cutting the lateral pectoral nerve weakens the clavicular and upper sternocostal parts of pectoralis major.
Course and supply
- Arises from
- The thoraco-acromial artery, a branch of the second part of the axillary artery, just after it pierces the clavipectoral fascia.
- Ends in
- End in pectoralis major and minor, anastomosing with the lateral thoracic artery and the intercostal branches of the internal thoracic artery.
- Supplies
- Supply pectoralis major and pectoralis minor and the overlying tissues of the front of the chest.
Anthromica
See the pectoral branches of thoraco-acromial artery where it really sits, with every layer of the body around it.
- Every layer, one body. Peel from muscle to bone, nerve, vessel and organ, and turn it any way.
- English and Latin. Every structure named the way your exam names it.
- Quiz until it sticks. Short drills on the structures you keep missing.
Free to start. No card.
