Internal thoracic arteries, also known as the internal mammary arteries, are a pair of vital blood vessels that originate from the subclavian arteries and are responsible for supplying oxygenated blood to various structures of the chest wall and the breast.
These arteries run parallel to the sternum on either side of the chest, with each artery giving off numerous branches as it travels downwards. These branches primarily divide into two main groups: anterior intercostal arteries and perforating branches.
The anterior intercostal arteries branch anteriorly and descend along the inside of the ribcage, supplying the muscles, skin, and other tissues of the anterior chest wall. They also give rise to a number of smaller branches that supply the mammary glands, which are essential for lactation in females.
On the other hand, the perforating branches exit through the intercostal spaces to provide blood supply to the underlying structures, such as the diaphragm, pericardium, and pleura. Additionally, these arteries give rise to branches that contribute to the blood supply of the thymus gland, which plays a pivotal role in the development and maturation of the immune system.
The internal thoracic arteries are considered critical for various surgical procedures, especially coronary artery bypass grafting. This technique involves using a section of the internal thoracic artery as a graft to bypass diseased or blocked coronary arteries, thereby improving blood flow to the heart muscle.
