Posterior intercostal arteries 4484618 151602377 2007-08-16T13:46:25Z Arcadian 104523 {{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]]