Superior thoracic artery


The superior thoracic artery is a small artery located near the armpit. It usually originates from the axillary artery, but can instead originate from the thoracoacromial artery. It supplies the pectoralis minor and major muscles, and the chest wall.

Anatomy

Course and relations

It passes anteromedially along medial upper border of the pectoralis before passing between pectoralis minor and pectoralis major to reach the chest wall.

Anastomoses

It forms anastomoses with the internal thoracic artery, and upper intercostal arteries.