Brachiocephalic artery

Brachiocephalic artery.
Schematic of the proximal aorta, frontal view. The brachiocephalic artery is the third branch of the aorta and the first branch from the arch of the aorta. The heart in the lower left is not shown.
Course of the ascending aorta (anterior view), as it passes dorsally to the pulmonary trunk but ventrally to the right pulmonary artery.
Details
PrecursorRight horn of aortic sac
SourceAortic arch
BranchesRight common carotid artery
Right subclavian artery
Thyroid ima artery (occasionally)
VeinBrachiocephalic vein
Identifiers
Latintruncus brachiocephalicus
MeSHD016122
TA98A12.2.04.004
TA24179
FMA3932
Anatomical terminology

The brachiocephalic artery, brachiocephalic trunk, or innominate artery is an artery of the mediastinum that supplies blood to the right arm, head, and neck.[1][2]

It is the first branch of the aortic arch.[3] Soon after it emerges, the brachiocephalic artery divides into the right common carotid artery and the right subclavian artery.[4]

There is no brachiocephalic artery for the left side of the body. The left common carotid artery and the left subclavian artery come directly off the aortic arch. Despite this, there are two brachiocephalic veins.[5]

  1. ^ Olivier, Marlyson. "Brachiocephalic trunk | Radiology Reference Article | Radiopaedia.org". Radiopaedia. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  2. ^ Dugas, Bryce A.; Samra, Navdeep S. (2023), "Anatomy, Thorax, Brachocephalic (Right Innominate) Arteries", StatPearls, Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, PMID 32491610, retrieved 2023-11-14
  3. ^ Di Tullio MR, Homma S (2016-01-01). "Chapter 33 - Atherosclerotic Disease of the Proximal Aorta". In Grotta JC, Albers GW, Broderick JP, Kasner SE (eds.). Stroke (Sixth ed.). London: Elsevier. pp. 576–590. doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-29544-4.00033-5. ISBN 978-0-323-29544-4.
  4. ^ Dugas BA, Samra NS (2022). "Anatomy, Thorax, Brachocephalic (Right Innominate) Arteries". StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. PMID 32491610. Retrieved 2022-06-12.
  5. ^ Woodhouse P, Waheed A, Bordoni B (2022). "Anatomy, Thorax, Brachiocephalic (Innominate) Veins". StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. PMID 31335059. Retrieved 2022-06-12.