Lateral thoracic artery

Lateral thoracic artery
Axillary artery, with its branches, including the lateral thoracic artery. Anterior view of right upper limb and thorax.
Details
SourceAxillary artery
VeinLateral thoracic vein
SuppliesSerratus anterior muscle
Identifiers
Latinarteria thoracica lateralis
TA98A12.2.09.011
TA24625
FMA22674
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]

  1. ^ Gray, Henry (2016). Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice, International Edition (41st ed.). Elsevier Limited. pp. 817, 828. ISBN 978-0-7020-5230-9.
  2. ^ Gray, Henry (2016). Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice, International Edition (41st ed.). Elsevier Limited. p. 819. ISBN 978-0-7020-5230-9.
  3. ^ Gray, Henry (2016). Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice, International Edition (41st ed.). Elsevier Limited. p. 820. ISBN 978-0-7020-5230-9.
  4. ^ Gray, Henry (2016). Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice, International Edition (41st ed.). Elsevier Limited. p. 817. ISBN 978-0-7020-5230-9.
  5. ^ a b Gray, Henry (2016). Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice, International Edition (41st ed.). Elsevier Limited. p. 828. ISBN 978-0-7020-5230-9.