Musculophrenic artery
Arteria musculophrenica
Definition
The musculophrenic artery is one of the two terminal branches of the internal thoracic artery (along with the cranial epigastric artery), typically arising at the level of the sixth intercostal space in dogs and humans. It courses along the costal margin of the diaphragm, running laterally and inferiorly.
The musculophrenic artery supplies the anterolateral portions of the diaphragm and the lower intercostal spaces (the seventh through ninth intercostal spaces indogs). It gives off ventral intercostal branches that anastomose with dorsal intercostal arteries, contributing to the vascular supply of the chest wall.
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