Thoracodorsal Artery

Branch of the third part of Axillary artery

• Three branches:
  • Subscapular artery
    • Largest branch – runs down posterior axillary wall ⇒ Gives off a dorsal branch – the Circumflex Scapular Artery which passes through posterior axilla wall between subscapularis and teres major, medial to long head of triceps and curves backwards round the lateral scapular border
    • Distal to this large branch, the Subscapular Artery changes name to Thoracodorsal Artery⇒ Runs with nerve of same name into Latissimus Dorsi after giving 1-3 branches to Serratus Anterior
    • Latter branches anastomose with Posterior Intercostal Arteries – thus, alternative source of blood supply to latissimus dorsi if subscapular or thoracodorsal artery has been occluded/divided higher up in axilla
    • Thoracodorsal Nerve descends to lie anterior to the artery in a neurovascular bundle that enters latissimus dorsi close to its anterior edge.