Arteries of the thoracic wall (English)

The main arteries of the thoracic wall are the internal thoracic, anterior intercostal, posterior intercostal and subcostal arteries. The internal thoracic artery emerges from the subclavian artery, and distally branches out as the musculophrenic and superior epigastric arteries. The anterior intercostal arteries are a set of nine arteries that supply the anterior part of intercostal spaces between the 1st-10th ribs. The upper six anterior intercostal arteries arise from the internal thoracic artery, while the rest are branches of from the musculophrenic artery. The posterior intercostal arteries are eleven in number and supply the posterior intercostal spaces. The first 2 arise from the supreme intercostal artery, while the rest arise from the thoracic aorta. Finally, the subcostal artery arises from the thoracic aorta and supplies the subcostal region below the 12th rib.