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| Lateral thoracic artery | |
|---|---|
 Axillary artery, with its branches, including the lateral thoracic artery. Anterior view of right upper limb and thorax. | |
| Details | |
| Source | Axillary artery |
| Vein | Lateral thoracic vein |
| Supplies | Serratus anterior muscle |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | arteria thoracica lateralis |
| TA98 | A12.2.09.011 |
| TA2 | 4625 |
| FMA | 22674 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
In thehuman body, thelateral thoracic artery (orexternal mammary artery) is ablood vessel that supplies oxygenatedblood to approximately one-third of the lateral structures of thethorax andbreast.
It originates from theaxillary artery and follows the lower border of thepectoralis minor muscle[1] to the side of the chest to supply theserratus anterior muscle,[2]pectoralis major muscle[3] andpectoralis minor muscle,[4] and sends branches across theaxilla to theaxillary lymph nodes andsubscapularis muscle.
It anastomoses with theinternal thoracic artery,subscapular, andintercostal arteries, and with the pectoral branch of thethoracoacromial artery.[5]
In thefemale it supplies an external mammary branch which turns round the free edge of the pectoralis major and supplies thebreasts.[5]
Variations in the Axillary Artery are quite common.
Differences in its origin, course, branching pattern, andsize may cause variations in the number or arrangement of branches arising from theartery. Additionally, anatomical variations such as accessory or duplicated lateral thoracic arteries have been reported inmedical literature. These variations can impactsurgical procedures anddiagnostic imaging interpretations.
In case it is absent the lateral perforating branches ofIntercostal arteries take its place.[5]
This article incorporates text in thepublic domain frompage 588 of the 20th edition ofGray's Anatomy(1918) and Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice, International Edition(2016).
