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Lateral thoracic artery | |
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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 the human body, the lateral thoracic artery (or external mammary artery) is a blood vessel that supplies oxygenated blood to approximately one-third of the lateral structures of the thorax and breast.
It originates from the axillary artery and follows the lower border of the pectoralis minor muscle[1] to the side of the chest to supply the serratus anterior muscle,[2] pectoralis major muscle[3] and pectoralis minor muscle,[4] and sends branches across the axilla to the axillary lymph nodes and subscapularis muscle.
It anastomoses with the internal thoracic artery, subscapular, and intercostal arteries, and with the pectoral branch of the thoracoacromial artery.[5]
In the female it supplies an external mammary branch which turns round the free edge of the pectoralis major and supplies the breasts.[5]