| Part | Branches | Course |
|---|---|---|
| First part
From its origin to the medial border of scalenus anterior |
Vertebral artery | Runs cranially in the transverse foramina of the cervical vertebrae, joins the vertebral artery on the contralateral side, forming the basilar artery and joins the circle of Willis. |
| Internal thoracic artery | Runs caudally behind the ribs, giving off anterior intercostal branches, perforating vessels to the breast and terminating in the superior epigastric artery and the musculophrenic artery | |
| Thyrocervical trunk | Very short. Divides into inferior thyroid artery, suprascapular artery and transverse cervical artery (also called cervicodorsal trunk) | |
| Second part
Lying behind scalenus anterior |
Costocervical trunk | Splits into highest intercostal artery and deep cervical artery. |
| Third part
Between the lateral border of scalenus anterior and the outer border of the first rib |
Dorsal scapular artery | From either second or third part. Passes backwards to supply levator scapulae and rhomboids. |
Read more about this topic: Subclavian Artery
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