Thyrocervical trunk

 The thyrocervical trunk (also called trunk of thyrocervical artery, latin: truncus
thyreocervicalis) is a short wide branch of the subclavian artery that supplies the
thyroid gland and the neck region.

The thyrocervical trunk arises near the origin of the subclavian artery, ascends
vertically and divides into four branches :

o inferior thyroid artery,

o suprascapular artery,
o ascending cervical artery,
o transverse cervical artery.

The thyrocervical trunk provides blood supply to the viscera of the neck, brachial
plexus, and muscles of the neck.
 Inferior thyroid artery

 The inferior thyroid artery (latin: arteria thyreoidea inferior) is the largest branch
of the thyrocervical trunk. It supplies several structures in the neck including the
thyroid gland, lateral muscles of the upper neck, larynx, pharynx, trachea, and
esophagus.

The inferior thyroid artery passes upwards anterior to the scalenus anterior muscle
and turns medially behind the carotid sheath. Reaching the base of the thyroid gland it
divides into superior and inferior branches that supply the posterior inferior parts of
the thyroid gland. The superior branch of the inferior thyroid artery provides blood
to the parathyroid glands as well. Also it forms anastomoses with its contralateral
fellow artery and with the superior thyroid artery.

The inferior thyroid artery in its course gives off the following branches:

o muscular branches,
o ascending cervical artery,
o inferior laryngeal artery:
o pharyngeal branches,
o tracheal branches,
o esophageal branches.

The muscular branches of the inferior thyroid artery supply the infrahyoid
muscles, longus colli, scalenus anterior and the inferior pharyngeal constrictor
muscles.

The ascending cervical artery supplies the lateral muscles of the upper neck, and
gives off one or two spinal branches that supply the spinal cord, meninges and
vertebral bodies.

The inferior laryngeal artery ascends on the surface of the trachea, entering the
larynx at the lower border and supplying the laryngeal muscles and mucosa.
 The pharyngeal branches of the inferior thyroid artery supply the lower part of the
pharynx.

The tracheal branches supply the trachea, and the esophageal branches of
the inferior thyroid artery supply the esophagus.

Some thyroid diseases may require a surgery to remove the thyroid (thyroidectomy).
As the recurrent laryngeal nerve runs close the inferior thyroid artery, during
thyroidectomy the inferior thyroid arteries must be carefully tied off to avoid damage
to the nerves.

Suprascapular artery

 The suprascapular artery (also transverse scapular artery, latin: arteria

suprascapularis) is a branch of the thyrocervical trunk that supplies the muscles of
the scapulae.

The suprascapular artery extends along the inferior belly of the omohyoid muscle,
passes through the suprascapular notch above the superior transverse scapular
ligament and reaches the supraspinous fossa.

The suprascapular artery supplies muscles in the supraspinous and infraspinous

fossae.

Ascending cervical artery

 The ascending cervical artery (latin: arteria cervicalis ascendens) is a small branch
of the thyrocervical trunk that supplies structures in the neck, including muscles and
the spinal cord.

The ascending cervical artery ascends along the scalenus anterior and divides into
two branches:

o spinal branches that pass to the vertebral canal through the intervertebral foramina to supply
the spinal cord and the meninges.
o muscular branches that supply the muscles of the neck.

The ascending cervical artery with its branches supplies the spinal cord and the
meninges, and the deep and lateral muscles of the neck.

Transverse cervical artery

 The transverse cervical artery (also transverse artery of the neck, latin: arteria
transversa colli) is a branch of the thyrocervical trunk that supplies the superficial
muscles of the neck and upper back.

The transverse cervical artery arises in the interscalene triangle, passes posteriorly
through the brachial plexus to the levator scapulae muscle, where it divides into
terminal branches: the superficial and deep branches.

The superficial branch of the transverse cervical artery (or superficial cervical
artery) supplies the superficial muscles of the posterior part of the neck.

The deep branch of the transverse cervical artery (or dorsal scapular artery)
descends along the medial border of the scapula and supplies the superficial muscles
of the back.

Dorsal scapular artery

The dorsal scapular artery (latin: arteria dorsalis scapulae) is considered to be the
deep branch of the transverse cervical artery, while in some literature it has been
described as one of the direct branches of the subclavian artery.

The dorsal scapular artery runs laterally to the brachial plexus, deep to the levator
scapulae and reaches the superior scapular angle.

The dorsal scapular artery supplies superficial muscles of the back, including the
levator scapulae, latissimus dorsi, trapezius, and the rhomboid muscles.