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AnatomyThoraxThoracodorsal artery
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AnatomyThoraxThoracodorsal artery

Thoracodorsal artery

Author: Roberto Grujičić, MD • Reviewer: Kevin Kuschel, MD
Last reviewed: October 30, 2023
Reading time: 3 minutes

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Thoracodorsal artery (Arteria thoracodorsalis)

The thoracodorsal artery is one of the two terminal branches of the subscapular artery. It runs inferomedially along the lateral border of the scapula.

Along its course, this artery gives rise to small branches that supply the following muscles:

Key facts about the thoracodorsal artery
Origin Subscapular artery
Branches Lateral and medial branches, cutaneous branches
Supply Latissimus dorsi muscle, serratus anterior muscle, subscapularis muscle, teres major muscle, axillary skin

This article will discuss the anatomy and function of the thoracodorsal artery.

Contents
  1. Course
  2. Branches and supply
  3. Anatomical variations
  4. Sources
+ Show all

Course

Thoracodorsal artery
Arteria thoracodorsalis
1/2
Synonyms: none

The thoracodorsal artery is a terminal branch of the subscapular artery that originates in the axillary region. It runs inferomedially along the lateral border of the scapula, then courses posteriorly passing deep to the latissimus dorsi muscle.

It usually terminates around the inferior angle of scapula by dividing into two to four branches that supply the large portion of the latissimus dorsi muscle.

Branches and supply

Latissimus dorsi muscle
Musculus latissimus dorsi
1/5
Synonyms: none

Along its course, the thoracodorsal artery gives rise to several cutaneous and muscular branches that supply the adjacent latissimus dorsi, serratus anterior, subscapularis and teres major muscles as well as the skin in the axillary region.

In most cases, the thoracodorsal artery terminates in a bifurcation, giving off a medial and a lateral branch. These branches run within the interfascicular connective tissue of the latissimus dorsi muscle. The larger, lateral branch runs parallel to the lateral margin of the muscle, while the medial branch courses along its superior border. These branches further divide and anastomose with the branches of intercostal and lumbar arteries.

Learn more about the main arteries of the upper limb with our articles, videos, labeled diagrams and quizzes.

Main arteries of the upper limb Explore study unit

Anatomical variations

  • In cases when the subscapular artery is absent, the thoracodorsal artery arises directly from the axillary artery as a separate branch. Occasionally, it can arise from other sites, most commonly from the lateral thoracic artery.
  • The presence of an accessory thoracodorsal artery that arises from the distal portion of the axillary artery has also been described.

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

References

  • Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2014). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • Netter, F. (2019). Atlas of Human Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders.
  • Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy (41st ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
  • Tubbs, R. S., Shoja, M. M., Loukas, M., & Bergman, R. A. (2016). Bergman’s comprehensive encyclopedia of human anatomic variation. Hoboken: Wiley Blackwell.
  • Germann, G., Öhlbauer, M. (2009). Flaps and Reconstructive Surgery. CHAPTER 23 - Latissimus dorsi flap. Editor(s): Fu-Chan Wei, Samir Mardini. W.B. Saunders. Pages 287-303.

Illustrators

  • Thoracodorsal artery (arteria thoracodorsalis) - Yousun Koh

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