The thyrocervical trunk is a short, arterial blood vessel located in the shoulder region of human body. It originates from the antero-superior surface of first portion of subclavian artery, right beside the vertebral artery. The thyrocervical trunk has a short course, with only 1.6 cm in length. It runs upwards in the space between the anterior scalene and middle scalene muscles. It supplies the thyroid gland and the muscles of the neck and shoulder region.
Branches
At the end of its short course, the thyrocervical trunk divides into four main branches: a) inferior thyroid artery, which travels upwards and medially to supply the inferior part of the thyroid gland; b) the ascending cervical artery, which runs upwards on the anterior surface of the anterior scalene muscle, giving off smaller branches that supply the muscles of the neck; c) the suprascapular artery, which travels laterally and slightly downwards to provide the muscles of shoulders with oxygenated blood; d) the transverse cervical artery, which travels slightly upwards and backwards, and then laterally, supplying the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles as it runs, also sending small branches to the skin and the lymph glands.
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| Above, image showing thyrocervical trunk and other branches of subclavian artery. |