Lateral_thoracic_artery

Lateral thoracic artery

Lateral thoracic artery

Large blood vessel

In the human body, the lateral thoracic artery (or external mammary artery) is a blood vessel that supplies oxygenated blood to approximately one-third of the lateral structures of the thorax and breast.

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It originates from the axillary artery and follows the lower border of the pectoralis minor muscle[1] to the side of the chest to supply the serratus anterior muscle,[2] pectoralis major muscle[3] and pectoralis minor muscle,[4] and sends branches across the axilla to the axillary lymph nodes and subscapularis muscle.

It anastomoses with the internal thoracic artery, subscapular, and intercostal arteries, and with the pectoral branch of the thoracoacromial artery.[5]

In the female it supplies an external mammary branch which turns round the free edge of the pectoralis major and supplies the breasts.[6]

Variations

The variations in Axillary Artery are Quite a lot, Thus;

Differences in its origin, course, branching pattern, and size. Some individuals may have variations in the number or arrangement of branches arising from the artery. Additionally, anatomical variations such as accessory or duplicated lateral thoracic arteries have been reported in medical literature. These variations can impact surgical procedures and diagnostic imaging interpretations.

Incase it is absent the lateral perforating branches of Intercostal arteries take its place.[6]

References

  1. [1]
    Gray, Henry (2016). Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice, International Edition (41st ed.). Elsevier Limited. pp. 817, 828. ISBN 978-0-7020-5230-9.
  2. [2]
    Gray, Henry (2016). Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice, International Edition (41st ed.). Elsevier Limited. p. 819. ISBN 978-0-7020-5230-9.
  3. [3]
    Gray, Henry (2016). Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice, International Edition (41st ed.). Elsevier Limited. p. 820. ISBN 978-0-7020-5230-9.
  4. [4]
    Gray, Henry (2016). Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice, International Edition (41st ed.). Elsevier Limited. p. 817. ISBN 978-0-7020-5230-9.
  5. [5]
    Gray, Henry (2016). Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice, International Edition (41st ed.). Elsevier Limited. p. 828. ISBN 978-0-7020-5230-9.
  6. [6]
    Gray, Henry (2016). Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice, International Edition (41st ed.). Elsevier Limited. p. 828. ISBN 978-0-7020-5230-9.

Public domain This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 588 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918) and Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice, International Edition(2016).
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