Lateral thoracic artery

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Branches of the axillary artery

The lateral thoracic artery ("lateral thoracic artery ") is an artery in the thorax . Its accompanying vein is the lateral thoracic vein .

The lateral thoracic artery arises from the axillary artery and runs along the lateral edge of the pectoralis minor muscle and then along the prongs of the serratus anterior muscle . It also supplies the pectoralis major , pectoralis minor, serratus anterior muscles and the axillary lymph nodes . She also supplies the female breast through her Rami mammarii laterales .

The lateral thoracic artery is variable and can be duplicated or completely absent. In the latter case, the subscapular artery or thoracodorsal artery take over their supply area.

literature

  • Walther Graumann, Dieter Sasse (Ed.): Sensory systems, skin, CNS. Peripheral pathways (= Compact Anatomy Textbook. Vol. 4). Schattauer, Stuttgart et al. 2005, ISBN 3-7945-2064-5 , p. 561 f.
  • Walter Thiel : Photographic atlas of practical anatomy. 2nd, updated new edition, 2nd edition. Springer, Heidelberg 2005, ISBN 3-540-31242-0 , p. 604.