J JACCOL Mnemonics, acronyms & reference ⌕ Search

Mnemonic

Superior Intercostal Artery and Vein

A memory aid for the vessels of the upper two intercostal spaces.

Anatomy Thorax
Expansion

Superior intercostal artery from the costocervical trunk; superior intercostal vein to the brachiocephalic or azygos vein

Expansion

Artery

  • The first two posterior intercostal arteries come from the superior intercostal artery, a branch of the costocervical trunk of the subclavian artery, not from the aorta

Veins

  • Right superior intercostal vein - drains into the azygos vein
  • Left superior intercostal vein - drains into the left brachiocephalic vein, arching over the aortic arch

That left-sided arch is visible in about 10 per cent of chest radiographs as a small bump on the aortic knuckle, the so-called aortic nipple. It enlarges when azygos flow increases, for example in superior vena cava obstruction or portal hypertension.