Blood vesselArtery
Brachiocephalic trunk
Latin: Truncus brachiocephalicus
Location: Thorax — superior mediastinum
View the brachiocephalic trunk in 3DCourse
The first and largest arch branch, arising behind the manubrium and ascending to the right sternoclavicular joint, where it divides into the right common carotid and right subclavian arteries.
Branches
Right common carotid artery; right subclavian artery (and occasionally the thyroid ima artery).
Clinical relevance
It crosses in front of the trachea at the thoracic inlet — erosion by a low tracheostomy tube can cause a catastrophic tracheo-innominate artery fistula.
Educational anatomy reference, not medical advice. About this content.