Subclavian artery (Arteria subclavia)
Educational content only — not medical advice.
Anatomy
Crosses between the anterior and middle scalene behind the clavicle into the axilla, changing name to axillary artery at the first rib; it gives the vertebral, internal thoracic and thyrocervical branches on the way.
Clinical notes
Compression in the scalene triangle (thoracic outlet syndrome) cools and blanches the hand on arm elevation (Adson test); post-clavicular-fracture aneurysm compresses the plexus.
Related structures
Educational references
FAQ
What is the role of the Subclavian artery?
Crosses between the anterior and middle scalene behind the clavicle into the axilla, changing name to axillary artery at the first rib; it gives the vertebral, internal thoracic and thyrocervical branches on the way.
Why is the Subclavian artery clinically important?
Compression in the scalene triangle (thoracic outlet syndrome) cools and blanches the hand on arm elevation (Adson test); post-clavicular-fracture aneurysm compresses the plexus.
Source & license
BodyParts3D, © The Database Center for Life Science licensed under CC Attribution 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). license details