Expansion
VIT-C, D
Mnemonic
“VIT C and D”, for the branches of the subclavian artery:
- V - Vertebral artery
- I - Internal thoracic (mammary) artery
- T - Thyrocervical trunk
- C - Costocervical trunk
- D - Dorsal scapular artery
The artery is divided into three parts by scalenus anterior: the first part is medial and gives the first three branches, the second part lies behind the muscle and gives the costocervical trunk, the third part is lateral and gives the dorsal scapular.
Thyrocervical trunk branches are “STAT”: Suprascapular, Transverse cervical, Ascending cervical, inferior Thyroid.
The vertebral artery enters the transverse foramen of C6 and is the first branch, which is why subclavian stenosis proximal to it causes subclavian steal, with arm exercise drawing blood retrogradely down the vertebral artery and causing dizziness.
Expansion
- V - Vertebral artery
- I - Internal thoracic artery
- T - Thyrocervical trunk
- C - Costocervical trunk
- D - Dorsal scapular artery