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The branches of the aorta that supply the thoracic
region can be divided into two principal groups —
those that supply the thoracic body wall and those
Thoracic Vessels
that supply thoracic viscera. Two arterial supply routes carry blood into the thoracic body wall. Poste-
riorly the aorta courses vertically down the vertebral column, while anteriorly the internal thoracic
arteries arise from the subclavian arteries and course vertically down the inside of the sternum.
Between these anterior and posterior supply arteries are interconnecting collateral arteries. These
collateral vessels are the anterior intercostal arteries and the posterior intercostal arteries, which sup-
ply the tissues of the intercostal spaces and form collateral circuits between the anterior and poste-
rior arterial pathways. All thoracic viscera receive their blood supply from branches of the aorta. The
thoracic viscera include the heart, lungs with their associated bronchial tubes, and the esophagus.
Dissection of vessels of posterior thoracic wall
Anterior view
1 Aorta
2 Posterior intercostal artery
3 Posterior intercostal vein
4 Azygos vein
5 Hemi-azygos vein
6 Accessory hemi-azygos vein
7 Superior vena cava
8 Brachiocephalic vein
9 Subclavian vein
10 Internal jugular vein
11 Inferior vena cava
12 Right atrium (cut)
13 Left subclavian artery
14 Left common carotid artery
15 Right common carotid artery
16 Hepatic vein
17 Trachea
18 Diaphragm
19 Esophageal hiatus
20 Subcostal muscle
21 Innermost intercostal muscle
22 Esophagus
23 Sympathetic trunk nerve
24 Thoracic lymphatic duct
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