Brachiocephalic artery
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206084475
2008-04-16T19:30:38Z
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robot Adding: [[nds:Truncus brachiocephalicus]]
{{Infobox Artery |
Name = {{PAGENAME}} |
Latin = truncus brachiocephalicus |
GraySubject = 142 |
GrayPage = 548 |
Image = Gray506.svg |
Caption = Schematic of the proximal aorta, frontal view. The '''brachiocephalic artery''' (labeled ''innominate'') 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.|
Image2 = Gray560.png |
Caption2 = The veins of the thyroid gland. |
BranchFrom = [[aorta|aortic arch]] |
BranchTo = right [[common carotid artery]]<BR>right [[subclavian artery]]<BR>[[thyreoidea ima]] |
Vein = [[brachiocephalic vein]] |
Supplies = |
MeshName = Brachiocephalic+Veins |
MeshNumber = A07.231.908.130 |
DorlandsPre = t_20 |
DorlandsSuf = 12825973 |
}}
The '''brachiocephalic artery''' (or '''brachiocephalic trunk''' or '''[[innominate]] artery''') is an [[artery]] of the [[mediastinum]] that supplies blood to the right [[arm]] and the [[head]] and [[neck]].
It is the first branch of the [[aorta|aortic arch]], and soon after it emerges, the brachiocephalic artery divides into the right [[common carotid artery]] and the right [[subclavian artery]].
There is no brachiocephalic artery for the left side of the body. The left common carotid, and the left subclavian artery, come directly off the aortic arch. However, there are two [[brachiocephalic vein]]s.
==Origin==
It arises, on a level with the upper border of the second right [[costal cartilage]], from the commencement of the arch of the aorta, on a plane anterior to the origin of the left carotid; it ascends obliquely upward, backward, and to the right to the level of the upper border of the right sternoclavicular articulation, where it divides into the right [[common carotid]] and right [[subclavian]] arteries.
==Relations==
Anteriorly, it is separated from the [[manubrium sterni]] by the [[Sternohyoideus]] and [[Sternothyreoideus]], the remains of the thymus, the left innominate and right inferior thyroid veins which cross its root, and sometimes the superior cardiac branches of the right vagus. Posterior to it is the [[vertebrate trachea|trachea]], which it crosses obliquely.
On the right side are the right [[innominate vein]], the [[superior vena cava]], the right [[phrenic nerve]], and the [[pleura]]; and on the left side, the remains of the [[thymus]], the origin of the left [[common carotid artery]], the [[inferior thyroid veins]], and the trachea.
==Branches==
The innominate artery usually gives off no branches, but occasionally a small branch, the thyreoidea ima, arises from it. Other times, it gives off a thymic or bronchial branch.
The thyreoidea ima (a. thyreoidea ima) ascends in front of the trachea to the lower part of the thyroid gland, which it supplies.
It varies greatly in size, and appears to compensate for deficiency or absence of one of the other thyroid vessels. It occasionally arises from the [[aorta]], the [[right common carotid]], the [[subclavian]] or the [[internal mammary]].
==Additional images==
<gallery>
Image:Gray522.png|Innominate artery labeled at upper right.
Image:Gray622.png|The tracheobronchial lymph glands.
Image:Gray968.png|Transverse section of the thorax, showing the contents of the middle and the posterior mediastinum.
Image:Gray972.png|Mediastinal surface of right lung.
Image:Gray1032.png|The position and relation of the esophagus in the cervical region and in the posterior mediastinum. Seen from behind.
Image:Dog_heart_2.jpg|Dog heart
</gallery>
==External links==
* {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|21|06|02}}
* {{eMedicineDictionary|Brachiocephalic+trunk}}
{{Gray's}}
{{Arteries of chest}}
[[Category:Arteries]]
[[Category:Thorax]]
[[de:Truncus brachiocephalicus]]
[[es:Tronco braquiocefálico]]
[[fr:Tronc brachio-céphalique]]
[[hr:Ručnoglaveno arterijsko stablo]]
[[it:Arteria anonima]]
[[ja:腕頭動脈]]
[[nn:Truncus brachiocephalicus]]
[[nds:Truncus brachiocephalicus]]
[[pl:Pień ramienno-głowowy]]
[[pt:Tronco braquiocefálico]]