Thymic branches of internal thoracic artery
Rami thymici arteriae thoracicae internae
- Related terms: Thymic branches
Definition
The thymic branches of the internal thoracic artery are small arterial branches that arise from the internal thoracic (internal mammary) artery and supply the thymus gland. These branches originate as the internal thoracic artery descends behind the upper six costal cartilages, approximately 1 cm lateral to the sternal border, within the anterior mediastinum.
The internal thoracic artery arises from the inferior surface of the first part of the subclavian artery, opposite the thyrocervical trunk. As it courses inferiorly along the posterior aspect of the anterior chest wall, it gives off several sets of branches, including:
Thymic branches small, variable vessels that pass medially to supply the thymus gland, particularly during childhood and adolescence when the thymus is most prominent.
Other branches in the same region include pericardiacophrenic, mediastinal, sternal, anterior intercostal, and perforating branches.
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