Thyrocervical trunk

Last revised by Francis Deng on 25 Feb 2024

The thyrocervical trunk is one of the 3 branches of the first part of the subclavian artery and gives off numerous branches to supply viscera of the neck, the brachial plexus, neck muscles, and the scapular anastomosis.

Gross anatomy

Origin

The trunk arises lateral to the vertebral artery from the anterosuperior wall of the subclavian artery adjacent to the anterior scalene muscle in the lower anterior neck.

Course

Ascends as a short, stout trunk before giving rise to three branches.

Branches
  • inferior thyroid artery is the largest and most important branch of the trunk

  • transverse cervical artery is a short artery that further bifurcates into the superficial and deep branches, both which course superficially and laterally across the phrenic nerve and anterior scalene muscle; they then cross or pass through the trunks of the brachial plexus, supplying branches to their vasa nervorum. Its branches are:

  • suprascapular artery traverses inferiorly and laterally superficial to the anterior scalene muscle and phrenic nerve before crossing the third part of the subclavian artery and the cords of the brachial plexus

    • it then courses posterior to the clavicle to supply the posterior scapular muscles, where it anastomoses with the rich scapular arterial plexus (scapular anastomosis).

    • may arise directly from the third part of the subclavian artery

Variant anatomy

  • the inferior thyroid artery arises from the subclavian artery in 15% of the population 4, in which case it may be known as the accessory inferior thyroid artery

  • the ascending cervical artery arises from the thyrocervical trunk in 11% of the population rather than as a branch of the inferior thyroid artery 5

  • the suprascapular artery may arise directly from the third part of the subclavian artery

  • the transverse cervical artery may arise directly from the second or third part of the subclavian artery

ADVERTISEMENT: Supporters see fewer/no ads

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.