Expansion
Bronchial, oesophageal, mediastinal and pericardial branches, plus posterior intercostal and subcostal arteries
Expansion
Visceral branches
- Bronchial arteries
- Oesophageal arteries
- Pericardial branches
- Mediastinal branches
Parietal branches
- Posterior intercostal arteries, to spaces 3 to 11
- Subcostal artery, below the twelfth rib
- Superior phrenic arteries
The descending thoracic aorta runs from T4 to T12, moving from the left of the vertebral column towards the midline as it descends. One of the lower posterior intercostal arteries gives the great anterior radicular artery of Adamkiewicz, the dominant supply to the lower spinal cord and a key consideration in aortic surgery.