Upper limb
Superior thoracic artery
Arteria thoracica superior
- Origin
- Sole branch from the first part of the axillary artery
- Insertion
- Runs medially and anteriorly to supply the first two intercostal spaces and upper pectoral region
- Function
- Supplies the subclavius, upper pectoralis major/minor, and upper intercostal muscles
- Innervation
- Sympathetic vasomotor fibers
- Movement & chain
- Protected beneath the subclavius and clavipectoral fascia
- Palpation
- Not palpable through thoracic wall musculature
- Clinical
- Provides collateral anastomoses with internal thoracic and intercostal arteries
- Segmental innervation
- C5–T1 vascular segment
- In clinical practice
- Must be controlled during high axillary surgical exposures and pectoral flap harvesting
- Region in the model
- Upper limb