View source for Thoracoacromial artery

{{Infobox Artery |
  Name        = Thoracoacromial artery |
  Latin       = arteria thoracoacromialis  |
  GraySubject = 149 |
  GrayPage    = 588 |
  Image       = Axillary branches.png|
  Caption     = Branches of [[axillary artery]], including thoracoacromial artery |
  Image2      = Gray524.png |
  Caption2    = The [[scapular artery|scapular]] and [[circumflex artery|circumflex]] arteries. (Thoracoacromial branch of thoracoacromial labeled at upper right.)|
  BranchFrom  = [[axillary artery]] |
  BranchTo    = |
  Vein        = |
  Supplies    = |
  MeshName    = |
  MeshNumber  = |
  DorlandsPre = a_62 |
  DorlandsSuf = 12159712  |
}}
{{SI}}

{{CMG}}



==Overview==
The '''thoracoacromial artery''' ('''acromiothoracic artery'''; '''thoracic axis''') is a short trunk, which arises from the forepart of the [[axillary artery]], its origin being generally overlapped by the upper edge of the [[Pectoralis minor]].

==Branches==
Projecting forward to the upper border of the Pectoralis minor, it pierces the [[coracoclavicular fascia]] and divides into four branches—pectoral, acromial, clavicular, and deltoid. 

{| class="wikitable"
| '''Branch''' || '''Description''' 
 |- 
 | ''[[Pectoral]] branch'' || Descends between the two [[Pectorales]], and is distributed to them and to the [[mamma]], [[anastomosing]] with the [[intercostal branches]] of the [[internal mammary]] and with the [[lateral thoracic]]. 
 |- 
 | ''[[Acromial]] branch'' || Runs lateralward over the [[coracoid]] process and under the [[Deltoideus]], to which it gives branches; it then pierces that muscle and ends on the [[acromion]] in an arterial network formed by branches from the [[transverse scapular]], [[thoracoacromial]], and [[posterior humeral circumflex]] arteries. 
 |- 
 | ''[[Clavicular]] branch'' || Runs upward and medialward to the [[sternoclavicular joint]], supplying this articulation, and the [[Subclavius]]. 
 |- 
 |  ''[[Deltoid tuberosity|Deltoid]] ([[humeral]]) branch'' || Often arising with the acromial, it crosses over the [[Pectoralis minor]] and passes in the same groove as the [[cephalic vein]], between the [[Pectoralis]] major and [[Deltoideus]], and gives branches to both muscles.
|}

==Mnemonic==
One [[mnemonic]] used to remember the four branches is "'''C'''adavers '''A'''re '''D'''ead '''P'''eople".<ref>{{MedicalMnemonics|3425|1207|662|}}</ref>

==Additional images==
<gallery>
 Image:Gray523.png|The axillary artery and its branches.
</gallery>

==References==
<div class="references-small">
{{reflist|2}}
</div>

==External links==
* {{NormanAnatomy|lesson2nerartveinspectregion}}
* {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|04|07|01|01}} - "Pectoral Region: Thoracoacromial Artery and its Branches"
* {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|05|04|12}} - "The axillary artery and its major branches shown in relation to major landmarks."
* {{eMedicineDictionary|thoracoacromial+artery}}

{{Gray's}}

{{Arteries of upper limbs}}


[[Category:Arteries]]
[[Category:Upper limb anatomy]]
[[Category:Thorax]]
[[Category:Anatomy]]

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