Thoracodorsal artery
Arteria thoracodorsalis
The continuing branch of the subscapular artery, running down the posterior wall of the axilla with its nerve into latissimus dorsi.
At a glance
- English
- Thoracodorsal artery
- Latin (TA2)
- Arteria thoracodorsalis
- System
- Artery
- Region
- Trunk
- Side
- Paired, left and right
About the thoracodorsal artery
The thoracodorsal artery is the lower of the two branches into which the subscapular artery divides, a few centimetres after the subscapular leaves the third part of the axillary artery. The other branch, the circumflex scapular artery, turns backwards round the scapula; the thoracodorsal artery instead carries on downwards in the line of the parent trunk.
It runs along the posterior wall of the axilla, close to the lateral border of the scapula, on the surface of subscapularis and then teres major. Throughout most of this course it travels together with the thoracodorsal nerve, the branch of the posterior cord of the brachial plexus that supplies latissimus dorsi, and with its companion veins. The vessels and nerve form a neat neurovascular bundle that enters the deep (inner) surface of latissimus dorsi a little below the axilla.
Latissimus dorsi is its main territory, and inside the muscle the artery usually divides into a lateral and a medial branch that run along the fibres. Before entering the muscle it also gives one or more branches to serratus anterior on the side of the chest wall, as well as small twigs to teres major and the skin of the axilla and lateral chest. Its branches join the lateral thoracic and intercostal arteries, so it forms part of the network of channels around the scapula and chest wall.
The artery has real practical importance. Because it is long, fairly wide and enters the muscle at a single predictable point, it is the standard pedicle for the latissimus dorsi flap, used to cover defects or rebuild tissue on the chest wall and elsewhere, and for flaps based on serratus anterior. It also lies in the field of axillary lymph node surgery, where the nerve and vessels are identified and kept safe.
Course and supply
- Arises from
- The subscapular artery, as the continuation of its trunk after the circumflex scapular artery has branched off.
- Ends in
- Enters the deep surface of latissimus dorsi, where it divides into medial and lateral branches within the muscle.
- Supplies
- Supplies latissimus dorsi, with branches to serratus anterior, teres major and the overlying skin of the lateral chest wall.
Anthromica
See the thoracodorsal 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.
