Right subclavian artery

Sub-branch · From brachiocephalic R recurrent laryngeal

Second terminal branch of the brachiocephalic trunk, arching over the right cervical pleura and first rib to become the axillary artery. Its branches match the left: vertebral, internal thoracic, thyrocervical trunk, costocervical trunk and dorsal scapular.

Traced from the start

  1. Arch of the aorta
  2. Brachiocephalic trunk
  3. Right subclavian artery

Detail

Origin
Brachiocephalic trunk
Branches
Vertebral, internal thoracic, thyrocervical, costocervical, dorsal scapular
Relations
Right recurrent laryngeal nerve hooks under it (the left hooks under the aortic arch)

When it goes wrong

Aberrant right subclavian artery arising as the last arch branch and passing behind the oesophagus

Dysphagia lusoria from oesophageal compression; the right laryngeal nerve is then non-recurrent and at risk in thyroid surgery

Practise this structure

1 question in the bank tagged Arterial Supply.