The spelling of the medical term "internal thoracic artery" is quite complex. The pronunciation is [ɪnˈtɜːnəl ˈθɔːrəsɪk ˈɑːt(ə)rɪ]. The word "internal" is spelled with the letter "i" followed by "nt". The word "thoracic" is spelled with the letters "th" and "or" followed by "acic". Finally, "artery" ends with the letters "ry". This artery is located within the thorax and supplies blood to the chest wall, breast, and diaphragm.
Internal Thoracic Artery: The internal thoracic artery, also known as the internal mammary artery, is a major artery that originates from the subclavian artery and provides critical blood supply to various structures of the chest. It is a paired artery, with one artery located on each side of the chest.
Originating near the collarbone, the internal thoracic artery descends down the chest wall, running parallel to the sternum. It follows a course between the internal intercostal muscle and the innermost intercostal muscle, supplying blood to the surrounding tissues and organs.
The internal thoracic artery plays a vital role in the blood supply of the mammary gland, chest muscles, and the chest wall itself. It gives off numerous branches that penetrate the muscles and tissues, delivering oxygenated blood and essential nutrients. These branches may anastomose (communicate) with other arteries in the region, ensuring adequate circulation even if one vessel is compromised.
Due to its close proximity to the heart and its rich blood supply, the internal thoracic artery is often used as a donor vessel during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. In this procedure, a segment of the artery is taken from the chest wall and used to bypass blockages in the coronary arteries, improving blood flow to the heart. The internal thoracic artery is preferred for this purpose due to its reliability and long-term patency compared to other graft options.