Cardiovascular system · Upper limb
Thoracoacromial artery !
The thoracoacromial artery is a short branch of the axillary artery; it feeds the pectoral muscles and the front of the shoulder.
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What it is
A short branch of the axillary artery with branches to the chest and shoulder.
What it does
Feeds the pectoral muscles and the front of the shoulder.
Key facts
- Origin
- 2nd part of the axillary artery
- Branches
- Pectoral, deltoid, acromial, clavicular branches
- Supplies
- Pectorals, deltoid, acromion; pierces the clavipectoral fascia
Relations
- Course
- Curves forward around the upper border of pectoralis minor, pierces the clavipectoral fascia and divides under the clavicular head of pectoralis major
- Superficial
- Pectoralis major, mainly its clavicular head
- Below
- Upper border of pectoralis minor
- Deep
- Second part of the axillary artery and the cords of the brachial plexus, behind the clavipectoral fascia
How to find it
Not palpable. In the deltopectoral approach its deltoid branch is met in the groove beside the cephalic vein; its pectoral branch is seen on the deep surface of pectoralis major when the muscle is lifted.
On imaging
A short trunk from the second part of the axillary artery, seen on CT angiography or ultrasound as it pierces the clavipectoral fascia at the upper border of pectoralis minor. On ultrasound its pectoral branch, between pectoralis major and minor, is the landmark for the PECS block and the lateral pectoral nerve. CT angiography confirms the pedicle before a pectoralis major flap.
Clinical notes
- The pectoralis major myocutaneous flap is raised on the pectoral branch
- Deltopectoral approach to the shoulder: the deltoid branch runs with the cephalic vein in the groove and is a common source of bleeding
- Its acromial branch runs on the deep side of the coracoacromial ligament and bleeds when the ligament is released in subacromial decompression, so it is coagulated during that step
Anatomical variants
- Its branches may arise separately from the axillary artery instead of from a common trunk
Memory aid
Branches (English): "ABCD": Acromial, Breast (pectoral), Clavicular, Deltoid.
Test yourself
Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.
From which part of the axillary artery does the thoracoacromial artery arise, and what are its branches?
The second part; pectoral, deltoid, acromial and clavicular branches.
Which fascia does the thoracoacromial artery pierce, and what passes with it?
The clavipectoral fascia, with the cephalic vein, the lateral pectoral nerve and lymphatics.
Which flap is raised on the pectoral branch of the thoracoacromial artery?
The pectoralis major myocutaneous flap, a workhorse in head and neck reconstruction.
Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.
Its names
- Official Latin (TA2)
- arteria thoracoacromialis TA2 4619
- Official Spanish (DeCS)
- Arteria toracoacromial
- English (TA2)
- Thoracoacromial artery
Related
Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Axillary Artery.
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Representative model, for educational purposes only.
