Posterior intercostal arteries
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151602377
2007-08-16T13:46:25Z
Arcadian
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{{Arteries of chest}}
{{Infobox Artery |
Name = {{PAGENAME}} |
Latin = arteriae intercostales posteriores |
GraySubject = 153 |
GrayPage = 600 |
Image = Gray530.png |
Caption = The thoracic aorta, viewed from the left side. (Intercostals visible at right.) |
Image2 = |
Caption2 = |
BranchFrom = 1-2: [[supreme intercostal artery|supreme intercostal]]<BR>3-11: [[thoracic aorta|thoracic]] |
BranchTo = |
Vein = [[Posterior intercostal veins]] |
Supplies = |
MeshName = |
MeshNumber = |
DorlandsPre = a_62 |
DorlandsSuf = 12158328 |
}}
The '''posterior intercostal arteries''' are [[arteries]] that supply blood to the [[intercostal space]]s.
There are eleven posterior intercostal arteries on each side.
* The 1st and 2nd posterior intercostal arteries arise from the [[supreme intercostal artery]], a branch of the [[costocervical trunk]] of the [[subclavian artery]].
* The lower nine arteries are the ''aortic intercostals'', so called because they arise from the back of the [[thoracic aorta]].
The right aortic intercostals are longer than the left, on account of the position of the aorta on the left side of the vertebral column; they pass across the bodies of the [[vertebrae]] behind the [[esophagus]], [[thoracic duct]], and [[azygos vein]], and are covered by the right [[lung]] and [[pleura]].
The left aortic intercostals run backward on the sides of the vertebrae and are covered by the left [[lung]] and [[pleura]]; the upper two vessels are crossed by the left [[superior intercostal vein]], the lower vessels by the [[hemiazygos vein]].
Opposite the heads of the ribs, the [[sympathetic trunk]] passes downward in front of them, and the [[splanchnic nerves]] also descend in front by the lower arteries.
Each artery then divides into an anterior and a posterior ramus.
A given posterior intercostal artery travels along the bottom of the rib with its corresponding [[posterior intercostal vein]], as well as the [[intercostal nerve]] of the given space. The vein is superior to the artery, and the intercostal nerve is inferior to it.
==External links==
* {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|21|06|06}} - "Branches of the ascending aorta, arch of the aorta, and the descending aorta."
* {{NormanAnatomy|thoraxlesson5}} ({{NormanAnatomyFig|paravertebralregion}})
{{Gray's}}
{{circulatory-stub}}
{{Arteries of chest}}
[[Category:Arteries]]