right subclavian artery (anatomy)
Last reviewed 01/2018
The right subclavian artery arises from the division of the brachiocephalic trunk deep to the right sternoclavicular joint. It is continuous with the axillary artery at the lateral border of the first rib.
It is divided into three sections:
- first or medial section: from sternoclavicular joint to the medial edge of scalenus anterior
- second or posterior section: posterior to scalenus anterior
- third or lateral section: lateral border of scalenus anterior to lateral border of first rib
The right subclavian artery supplies the territory of the right head, neck, thoracic cavity, mediastinum and part of the diaphragm.