Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnatomyLocationFunctionClinical Significance
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Anatomy
Location
Function
Clinical Significance
Arteries are large blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the heart to the cells, tissues, and organs throughout the body.The subclavian artery is a major blood vessel located in the thorax (chest area) that functions to carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to parts of the upper body.
Arteriescan be found in every part of the body (except the hairs, nails, upper layer of the skin, cartilage, and cornea of the eye). There are actually two subclavian arteries (the left and the right), which provide oxygenated blood to the arms, neck, and head, and contribute to blood flow to the brain.
Ellen Lindner / Verywell
Branches of the Subclavian Artery
The left and right subclavian arteries are located in the thorax (chest) underneath the clavicles (commonly known as the collarbones). The left subclavian artery receives oxygenated blood from the aortic arch (the top portion of the largest artery in the body that carries blood away from the heart). The right subclavian artery receives blood from thebrachiocephalictrunk (which is the first branch to arise from the aortic arch).
The Left Subclavian Artery
The Right Subclavian Artery
Aside from the axillary artery, the subclavian arteries branch into the internal thoracic artery, vertebral artery, costocervical trunk, thyrocervical trunk, and dorsal scapular artery.
Structure
There are two types of arteries: elastic and muscular.
The subclavian artery is an elastic artery, meaning it is a large artery that has the ability to stretch. Elastic arteries contain a high amount of collagen and elastin (more than the amount that comprises muscular arteries). These arteries (which also include the aorta,pulmonary artery, and femoral artery) are the largest in the body and they are closest to the heart; they give rise to medium-sized vessels (or muscular arteries).
An artery has several layers, including:
The subclavian artery is a major artery that branches off of the aorta. The aorta is the largest artery in the body, which is connected to the heart’s left ventricle. The larger trunks—such as the aorta and the subclavian artery—are located in the most protected areas of the body to prevent injury and subsequent disruption of major blood flow.
The subclavian artery is found in the chest, under the rib cage, which helps protect the vessel from injury.
Anatomical Variations
When abnormal fetal development of the subclavian artery occurs, it can result in atypical locations of this major vessel. Most commonly, aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) occurs, which results in the artery being displaced to an area between thetrachea(windpipe) and esophagus (the tube through which food passes, after swallowing).This can cause symptoms such as trouble breathing or swallowing.
Discrepancies in the normal branching pattern of the subclavian can also occur as a result of malformation during fetal development.
The primary function of the subclavian artery is to provide oxygen-rich blood to certain areas of the upper body. There are two subclavian arteries, which supply oxygen-rich blood to each side of the body. The subclavian arteries provideoxygenated bloodto the head, neck and upper limbs, as well thyroid tissue and the superior (upper region) and anterior (front area) of the chest wall.
The subclavian arteries also feed into the circle of Willis, an area at the bottom of the brain where major arteries join and branch off to supply oxygenated blood to more than 80% of the brain’s cerebrum (the largest part of the brain).
When a person has subclavian artery disease, it increases the risk of having a buildup ofplaquesin other arteries in the body.Depending on where the blockage occurs, this can lead to serious complications such as a heart attack, chronic (long-term) chest pain, or a stroke. When the blockage occurs in the legs it can cause severe cramping, calledclaudication.
Often, there are no noticeable symptoms of subclavian artery disease. This is because the condition progresses slowly over time. Another reason symptoms may not be apparent at first is that the body has a fail-proof system called collateral circulation.
Symptoms that may occur as a result of a blockage of the subclavian artery include:
When symptoms are noticeable, your healthcare provider should be notified right away. Imaging tests may be performed to evaluate the blood flow from the subclavian artery. Other types of diagnostic tests, such as lab, work may also be ordered.
Summary
The subclavian artery is a major artery located in the thorax (or chest) that carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the upper body—including the arms, head, neck, and brain. There is both a left and a right subclavian artery, one on each side of the body, with the left subclavian artery receiving blood directly from the aortic arch and the right subclavian artery receiving blood from the brachiocephalic truck (which is the first branch to emerge from the aortic arch).
Subclavian arteries are elastic, meaning that they have the ability to stretch to accommodate the constant pressure of blood flow from the heart. Still, though, subclavian artery disease can increase the buildup of plaque in the body’s arteries and cause a blockage.
11 Sources
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