Anomalous branching order of the superior and lateral thoracic arteries

Abstract

The superior thoracic and lateral thoracic arteries usually arise from the axillary artery as the first and second branches, respectively. Although anomalies have been described, no reports of a reversal of the order of origin have been found. In two cadaveric dissections, the lateral thoracic artery was found to arise cephalad to the superior thoracic artery. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.