musculophrenic arteries (anatomy)
Last reviewed 01/2018
The musculophrenic artery:
- is a distal branch of the respective internal thoracic artery on each side
- is formed from a retrosternal division of each internal thoracic artery at the level of the 6th intercostal space
- passes inferolaterally in the recess between the surface of the thoracic diaphragm and the posterior surface of the anterior thorax
- on route, provides two anterior intercostal arteries for each of intercostal spaces 7 to 9 and partly supplies pericardium
- traverses diaphragm at level of 9th costal cartilage to supply and ramify on its abdominal surface