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Esophageal Branches of Inferior Thyroid Artery
Cardiovascular System

Esophageal Branches of Inferior Thyroid Artery

Rami oesophagei arteriae thyreoideae inferioris

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Quick Facts

Origin: Inferior thyroid artery.

Course: Travels medially towards the esophagus.

Branches: Ascending and descending branches.

Supplied Structures: Esophagus in the neck.

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Origin

The esophageal branches originate from the inferior thyroid artery as it ascends in the neck.

Course

From their origin, the esophageal branches travel medially to reach the esophagus. The then branches descend along the length of the esophagus in the neck.

Branches

The esophageal branches of inferior thyroid artery give off ascending and descending branches that anastomose with each other across the midline (Moore, Dalley and Agur, 2013). In addition, the branches anastomose with the esophageal branches of the thoracic aorta which surround the esophagus.

Supplied Structures

The esophageal branches of the inferior thyroid artery supply the esophagus in the neck.

References

Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F. and Agur, A. M. R. (2013) Clinically Oriented Anatomy. Clinically Oriented Anatomy 7th edn.: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

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