"The supreme intercostal artery, as the first branch off of the costocervical trunk, normally courses inferiorly and posteriorly from its origin along the medial and posterior aspect of the thorax. It crosses the neck of the first rib anteriorly prior to giving off two branches which form the first and second posterior intercostal arteries. These arterial branches supply the intercostal tissues of the first and second ribs in the same fashion as the lower intercostal arteries 2."
"The supreme intercostal artery, as the first branch off of the costocervical trunk, normally courses inferiorly and posteriorly from its origin along the medial and posterior aspect of the thorax. It crosses the neck of the first rib anteriorly prior to giving off two branches which form the first and second posterior intercostal arteries. These arterial branches supply the intercostal tissues of the first and second ribs in the same fashion as the lower intercostal arteries 2."
"Clinical Significance "
"Additionally, the supreme intercostal arteries serve as a major source of collateral blood flow to the distal aorta in cases of coarctation, frequently from the bilateral supreme intercostal arteries 4 ."
"Gross Anatomy"
"Clinical Significance"
Expected headings
"Embryology"
"Gross Anatomy"
"Clinical Significance "
"There is noted variation of the supreme intercostal artery in both its origin as well as its distribution. Usually originating from the costocervical trunk, the supreme intercostal artery also may arise from the thyrocervical trunk or its subsequent branches, such as the dorsal scapular artery or inferior thyroid artery. Additional origins may arise from the axillary artery, second intercostal artery, or the vertebral artery where it will pass through the transverse foramen of the 7th cervical vertebra and then course inferiorly and pass posterior to the ribs. There have been cases documented of the left supreme intercostal artery originating from the internal thoracic artery or as a fourth branch off the aortic arch 3."