The Key Muscle Dividing The Subclavian Artery

The subclavian artery is a blood vessel that provides blood supply to the upper limbs, as well as parts of the neck and brain. It passes between the anterior and middle scalene muscles, with the anterior scalene on its anterior side and the middle scalene on its posterior. The subclavian artery can be divided into three parts based on its position relative to the anterior scalene muscle: the prescalene part, the retroscalene part, and the postscalene part. The second part of the subclavian artery lies behind the anterior scalene muscle and gives off the costocervical trunk, which supplies the upper thorax and posterior cervical muscles. The third part of the subclavian artery extends from the lateral border of the anterior scalene muscle to the lateral border of the first rib, where it becomes the axillary artery.

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The prescalene part of the subclavian artery

The subclavian artery is a paired blood vessel that provides blood supply to the upper limbs, as well as parts of the neck and brain. The subclavian artery can be split into three parts: the prescalene part, the retroscalene part, and the postscalene part.

The vertebral artery is the first branch of the subclavian artery and it courses superiorly along each side of the neck region. The vertebral artery ultimately merges with its counterpart at the pontomedullary junction to form the basilar artery. The internal thoracic artery, in contrast, descends along the inner surface of the anterior chest wall, giving rise to several branches that supply the anterior thoracic wall and the breast. The thyrocervical trunk is a short and wide branch that arises close to the medial border of the anterior scalene muscle. Its major branch, the inferior thyroid artery, supplies several important structures in the neck.

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The subclavian artery's branches

The subclavian artery is divided into three segments based on its medial, posterior, or lateral relationship to the anterior scalene muscle. The subclavian artery is responsible for getting oxygenated blood from the heart to the head, neck, and arms. The first section of each subclavian artery supplies blood to the chest, thyroid, and circle of Willis (the brain's blood supplier). The subclavian artery gives off several branches that supply various structures of the upper body.

The first branch of the subclavian artery is the vertebral artery, which is rarely encountered by shoulder surgeons. The vertebral artery supplies blood to the upper spinal cord, brainstem, cerebellum, and posterior part of the brain. It also supplies blood to the brachial plexus, with the internal mammary artery always branching off it. The vertebral artery is also important in Subclavian Steal Syndrome, a condition where the subclavian artery is occluded proximal to the vertebral artery, resulting in reversed blood flow.

The second branch of the subclavian artery is the thyrocervical trunk, a short and wide branch that arises near the medial border of the anterior scalene muscle. Its major branch, the inferior thyroid artery, supplies blood to several important structures in the neck, including the larynx, pharynx, trachea, platysma, esophagus, thyroid, and parathyroid glands. The transverse cervical artery and the suprascapular artery also branch off the thyrocervical trunk in 70% of cases.

The third branch of the subclavian artery is the internal thoracic artery, which descends along the inner surface of the anterior chest wall. It gives rise to several branches that supply the anterior thoracic wall and the breast.

The costocervical trunk and dorsal scapular artery are also branches of the subclavian artery. The costocervical trunk supplies blood to the posterior cervical muscles and upper thorax, while the dorsal scapular artery supplies blood to the upper back and shoulder muscles, including the trapezius, levator scapulae, and rhomboid muscles.

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The subclavian artery and the pleura

The subclavian artery is a major artery in the upper thorax, below the clavicle, responsible for getting blood to the upper body, including the head, neck, and arms. The subclavian artery is divided into three parts based on its relation to the anterior scalene muscles: the prescalene part, the retroscalene part, and the postscalene part. The subclavian artery is covered by the sternothyroid muscle, the sternohyoid muscle, and the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The pleura is below and behind the subclavian artery, separating it from the apex of the lung. The pleura is a thin, flexible layer of cells that surrounds the lungs and lines the thoracic cavity. It plays a crucial role in respiration by facilitating the expansion and contraction of the lungs during breathing.

The first part of the subclavian artery, known as the prescalene part, extends from the origin of the vessel to the medial border of the scalenus anterior muscle. It is located before the medial border of the anterior scalene muscle. The vertebral artery is the first branch of the subclavian artery and it supplies blood to the upper spinal cord, brainstem, cerebellum, and posterior part of the brain. The internal thoracic artery, which descends along the inner surface of the anterior chest wall, gives rise to several branches that supply the anterior thoracic wall and the breast.

The second part of the subclavian artery, also known as the scalene or retroscalene part, lies behind the anterior scalene muscle and in front of the scalenus medius muscle. It is very short and forms the highest part of the arch described by the vessel. The second part gives rise to a single branch called the costocervical trunk, which supplies the posterior cervical muscles and upper thorax.

The third part of the subclavian artery, also known as the postscalene part, extends from the lateral margin of the muscle to the outer border of the first rib, where it becomes the axillary artery. The third part usually has only one branch, the dorsal scapular artery, which provides arterial supply for the muscles of the upper back and shoulder, including the trapezius, levator scapulae, and rhomboid muscles.

In summary, the subclavian artery and the pleura are two distinct but interconnected structures within the human body. The subclavian artery is a major blood vessel responsible for supplying oxygenated blood to the upper body, including the head, neck, and arms. The pleura, on the other hand, is a thin, flexible layer of cells that surrounds the lungs and facilitates respiration by allowing the lungs to expand and contract during breathing. The pleura is located below and behind the subclavian artery, separating it from the apex of the lung.

The subclavian artery's second part

The subclavian artery is a paired blood vessel that provides blood supply to the upper limbs, as well as parts of the neck and brain. The subclavian artery can be split into three parts: the first part, also known as the prescalene part; the second part, also known as the scalene part or retroscalene part; and the third part, also known as the postscalene part.

The second part of the subclavian artery lies behind the anterior scalene muscle and in front of the scalenus medius muscle. It is a very short part of the vessel and forms the highest part of the arch described by the vessel. On the right side of the neck, the phrenic nerve is separated from the second part of the artery by the scalenus anterior muscle, while on the left side it crosses the first part of the artery close to the medial edge of the muscle. Behind the artery are the pleura and the scalenus medius muscle. Above the artery is the brachial plexus, and below the artery is the pleura. The subclavian vein lies below and anterior to the artery, separated from it by the scalenus anterior muscle.

The second part of the subclavian artery gives off a single branch called the costocervical trunk. This is a short artery that supplies the posterior cervical muscles and upper thorax.

The subclavian artery and the axillary artery

The subclavian artery is a principal blood vessel that supplies oxygenated blood to the upper body, including the head, neck, and arms. It originates from the brachiocephalic trunk on the right and the aortic arch on the left. As it crosses the lateral border of the first rib, it becomes the axillary artery.

The subclavian artery is divided into three segments based on its relationship to the anterior scalene muscle. The first segment, known as the prescalene part, extends from the origin of the vessel to the medial border of the anterior scalene muscle. The second segment, called the scalene or retroscalene part, lies behind the anterior scalene muscle. The third segment, referred to as the postscalene part, extends from the lateral margin of the anterior scalene muscle to the outer border of the first rib, where the subclavian artery transitions into the axillary artery.

The subclavian artery gives rise to several branches that supply various structures in the upper body. The vertebral artery, the first major branch, supplies blood to the brain, brainstem, cerebellum, and upper spinal cord. The internal thoracic artery supplies blood to the pericardium, breast, diaphragm, and chest and belly walls. The thyrocervical trunk supplies blood to the neck and shoulders, while the costocervical trunk provides blood to the posterior cervical muscles and upper thorax. The dorsal scapular artery supplies blood to the upper back and shoulder muscles.

The axillary artery is a continuation of the subclavian artery beyond the first rib. It receives the transverse scapular, transverse cervical, and anterior jugular veins, which frequently form a plexus in front of the artery. The axillary artery plays a crucial role in providing blood flow to the upper limb, ensuring adequate circulation in the region.

In summary, the subclavian artery and its transition into the axillary artery are essential components of the circulatory system, supplying oxygenated blood to the upper body, including the head, neck, and arms. The subclavian artery's branches and their specific functions contribute to the overall vascular network that sustains vital organs and tissues.

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