thoracic artery

noun

, Anatomy.

any of several arteries that distribute blood to the muscles and organs of the thorax: used as a replacement artery in coronary bypass surgery.

First recorded in 1720–30

The thoracic artery arises from the subclavian opposite the base of the coracoid artery, or from the base of the coracoid artery.

Minor variations in all of the smaller branches of the thoracic artery were common.

Occasionally a small artery could be traced from the main trunk of the thoracic artery to that muscle.

The thoracic artery usually passes ventral to M. costi-sternalis anterior.

From the ventral trunk of the thoracic artery a variable number of small vessels arises to supply the costosternal articulations.

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