thyrocervical trunk

The thyrocervical trunk is an artery that branches from the subclavian artery and is involved in supplying blood to the thyroid gland, neck musculature, and upper back regions through its major branches.

The thyrocervical trunk is located at the base of the neck, arising from the first part of the subclavian artery just medial to the anterior scalene muscle, before dividing into its major branches.

The thyrocervical trunk is involved in distributing oxygenated blood to several structures through its branches, including the inferior thyroid artery to the thyroid gland, the suprascapular artery to the shoulder, and the transverse cervical artery to the neck and upper back.

Subclavian artery stenosis, thyroid enlargement affecting arterial anatomy, upper extremity ischemia from subclavian steal syndrome, or vascular injury during neck surgery may be associated with the thyrocervical trunk.

The thyrocervical trunk may be assessed through Doppler ultrasound of the subclavian and neck vessels, CT or MR angiography of the neck and thoracic inlet, or conventional arteriography during evaluation of neck and shoulder vascular anatomy.