thoracic artery

American  

noun

Anatomy.

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

---

Etymology

Origin of thoracic artery

First recorded in 1720–30

Example Sentences

It then gives rise to three major branches: the internal thoracic artery, the vertebral artery, and the thyrocervical artery.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The internal thoracic artery, or mammary artery, supplies blood to the thymus, the pericardium of the heart, and the anterior chest wall.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The thoracic artery arises from the vessel next to the apex of the costal process, hence from the subclavian, between the axillary and carotid arteries.

From Thoracic and Coracoid Arteries In Two Families of Birds, Columbidae and Hirundinidae by Jenkinson, Marion Anne

The thoracic artery in P. subis arose either from the subclavian artery, or from the coracoid artery.

From Thoracic and Coracoid Arteries In Two Families of Birds, Columbidae and Hirundinidae by Jenkinson, Marion Anne

In the Galliformes and the Passeriformes there appears to be a graded series in the sites of attachment of the thoracic artery from a lateral to a medial position.

From Thoracic and Coracoid Arteries In Two Families of Birds, Columbidae and Hirundinidae by Jenkinson, Marion Anne