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AnatomyThoraxFemale breast
Table of contents

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Blood vessels of the female breast

Learning objectives

Completing this study unit will enable you to:

  1. Understand the arterial supply and venous drainage of the female breast.
  2. Name the main arteries and veins involved in the breast vasculature.

Watch video

The arterial supply of the female breast is given by branches of three arteries:

  • Internal thoracic artery (supply to the medial part of the breast)
    • Main branches to the breast: medial mammary branches and anterior intercostal branches
  • Axillary artery (supply to the superolateral part of the breast)
    • Main branches to the breast: lateral thoracic artery, pectoral branch of thoracoacromial artery
  • Posterior intercostal arteries (supply to the lateral part of the breast)

The venous drainage of the female breast mostly mimics the arteries. The blood drains mainly into the axillary vein, but there is some drainage into the internal thoracic vein.

Watch the video below for a more comprehensive overview on the vascularization of the female breast.

Take a quiz

You can complete this quiz to test your recently acquired knowledge.

For a broader view on the female breast try our customizable quiz. 

Custom quiz: Female breast For a broader topic focus, try this customizable quiz.

Browse atlas

Take a closer look at the arterial supply of the female breast in the gallery below.

Left subclavian artery
Arteria subclavia sinistra
1/8
Synonyms: none

Now that you have a good understanding of the arteries, it's time to take a look at the veins of the female breast. 

Lateral thoracic vein
Vena thoracica lateralis
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Synonyms: Vena thoracicalis lateralis

Summary

Key facts about the blood vessels of the female breast
Arteries of the female breast Internal thoracic artery: Medial mammary branches and anterior intercostal branches (medial aspect of the breast)
Axillary artery: Lateral thoracic artery, pectoral branch of thoracoacromial artery (superolateral aspect of the breast)
Posterior intercostal artery (lateral part of the breast)
Veins of the female breast Axillary vein: Receives blood from cephalic, basilic, brachial and lateral thoracic veins
Posterior intercostal vein: Drain the lateral aspect of the breast into the azygos system
Internal thoracic vein: Drains the medial aspect of the breast into the brachiocephalic vein

Well done!

Related articles

Female breast Read article
Lymphatic drainage of the breast Read article

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