left subclavian artery

One of a pair of major arteries in the thorax that supplies blood to the head & brain, neck, thorax & upper extremities. The right subclavian originates from the brachiocephalic artery, the left from the arch of the aorta. The subclavian arteries continue as the axillary artery after crossing the first rib. Branches: 1) vertebral arteries 2) thyrocervical trunk 3) internal thoracic artery 4) costocervical trunk 5) descending scapular artery

Properties

GENERAL: subclavian artery FORM: left subclavian artery BRANCHES: vertebral artery thyrocervical trunk internal thoracic artery (internal mammary artery) costocervical trunk dorsal (descending) scapular artery ORIGIN: aorta

References

Stedman's Medical Dictionary 26th ed, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 1995