Blood vesselArtery

Left subclavian artery

Latin: Arteria subclavia sinistra

Location: Shoulder

Course

Arises directly from the aortic arch, arches over the first rib behind the anterior scalene muscle, and becomes the axillary artery at the first rib's lateral border.

Branches

Vertebral artery, internal thoracic artery, thyrocervical trunk, costocervical trunk, dorsal scapular.

Clinical relevance

Subclavian steal syndrome: proximal stenosis reverses the vertebral artery's flow, starving the brain when the arm exercises. The artery's pulse is palpated in the supraclavicular fossa, and compression at the first rib contributes to thoracic outlet syndrome.

Educational anatomy reference, not medical advice. About this content.