Think you know the arteries of the thorax? Our free arteries of the thorax quiz dives into the complex network of blood vessels of the thorax - major arteries and subtle thoracic veins alike. Challenge students, healthcare professionals, and anatomy buffs to master arteries in the thorax and reinforce your cardiovascular know-how. This interactive anatomy thorax quiz helps you pinpoint each vessel with confidence. Craving a broader review? Try the heart blood vessels quiz too. Ready to boost your anatomy confidence and ace those vessels? Start quizzing now!
Which of the following is NOT a direct branch of the aortic arch?
Bronchial artery
Brachiocephalic trunk
Left subclavian artery
Left common carotid artery
The aortic arch gives rise to three major branches: the brachiocephalic trunk, the left common carotid artery, and the left subclavian artery. Bronchial arteries originate from the thoracic aorta, not directly from the arch. These vessels supply the airways and lung tissue. Learn more.
Which artery supplies the anterior chest wall and the mammary gland?
Internal thoracic artery
Thoracodorsal artery
Superficial epigastric artery
Lateral thoracic artery
The internal thoracic artery arises from the subclavian artery and descends along the inner chest wall, giving off anterior intercostal branches and supplying the mammary gland. It is the primary blood supply to the anterior thoracic wall. Learn more.
The continuation of the thoracic aorta after it passes through the aortic hiatus of the diaphragm is called the:
Celiac trunk
Inferior vena cava
Common iliac artery
Abdominal aorta
After passing through the aortic hiatus at the T12 vertebral level, the thoracic aorta becomes the abdominal aorta and continues to supply abdominal and pelvic structures. The inferior vena cava is a venous structure, not arterial. Learn more.
Which branch of the internal thoracic artery supplies the diaphragm along its costal margins?
Superior epigastric artery
Musculophrenic artery
Pericardiacophrenic artery
Lateral thoracic artery
The internal thoracic artery terminates by dividing into the superior epigastric and musculophrenic arteries. The musculophrenic artery runs along the costal margin to supply the lower intercostal spaces and diaphragm. Learn more.
Which paired arteries run along the inferior border of each rib in the thoracic cavity?
Subcostal arteries
Anterior intercostal arteries
Posterior intercostal arteries
Intercostal veins
Posterior intercostal arteries arise from the thoracic aorta and run along the costal groove on the inferior margin of each rib, supplying the intercostal spaces. Anterior intercostal arteries supply the front and derive from the internal thoracic artery. Learn more.
The pericardiacophrenic artery, which travels alongside the phrenic nerve, is a branch of which artery?
Costocervical trunk
Internal thoracic artery
Axillary artery
Thoracic aorta
The pericardiacophrenic artery arises from the internal thoracic artery and accompanies the phrenic nerve through the thorax to supply the pericardium and diaphragm. Learn more.
Bronchial arteries that supply the left lung typically arise directly from which source?
Subclavian artery
Pulmonary artery
Thoracic aorta
Internal thoracic artery
Left bronchial arteries commonly originate as two distinct branches directly from the thoracic aorta, supplying oxygenated blood to the bronchial tree and lung tissue. Learn more.
Esophageal arteries supplying the middle third of the esophagus originate from which major vessel?
Bronchial arteries
Inferior thyroid artery
Thoracic aorta
Left gastric artery
The esophageal arteries that supply the middle third of the esophagus arise directly from the thoracic aorta as multiple small branches. Upper esophagus is supplied by inferior thyroid, lower by left gastric. Learn more.
Which arteries supply the superior surface of the diaphragm and arise just above the diaphragm from the thoracic aorta?
Musculophrenic arteries
Inferior phrenic arteries
Superior phrenic arteries
Pericardiacophrenic arteries
Superior phrenic arteries are small paired vessels that branch off the lower thoracic aorta just above the diaphragm, supplying the superior surface of the diaphragm. Inferior phrenic arteries arise from the abdominal aorta. Learn more.
Collateral circulation in coarctation of the aorta often leads to enlargement of which arteries, causing rib notching?
Anterior intercostal arteries
Posterior intercostal arteries
Internal thoracic arteries
Lateral thoracic arteries
In coarctation of the aorta, blood bypasses the constricted segment via enlarged posterior intercostal arteries that erode the inferior borders of the ribs, producing the characteristic rib notching. Learn more.
Which artery gives rise to the superior intercostal artery that supplies the first and second posterior intercostal spaces?
Thoracic aorta
Lateral thoracic artery
Internal thoracic artery
Costocervical trunk
The superior intercostal artery is a branch of the costocervical trunk, itself originating from the subclavian artery. It supplies the first and second posterior intercostal spaces. Learn more.
How many pairs of posterior intercostal arteries typically arise directly from the thoracic aorta?
9 pairs
7 pairs
11 pairs
12 pairs
The thoracic aorta gives off nine pairs of posterior intercostal arteries, usually to the 3rd through the 11th intercostal spaces. The first two spaces are supplied by the superior intercostal artery. Learn more.
The musculophrenic artery provides terminal branches to which intercostal spaces?
4th - 6th spaces
7th - 9th spaces
10th - 12th spaces
1st - 3rd spaces
The musculophrenic artery, a terminal branch of the internal thoracic artery, supplies the lower anterior intercostal spaces, typically the 7th through 9th. The superior epigastric artery is the other terminal branch. Learn more.
Anterior intercostal arteries in the upper thoracic spaces arise from which parent vessel?
Brachiocephalic trunk
Subclavian artery
Internal thoracic artery
Thoracic aorta
Anterior intercostal arteries branch from the internal thoracic artery in the upper intercostal spaces and anastomose with posterior intercostals. The thoracic aorta gives rise only to posterior intercostal arteries. Learn more.
The artery of Adamkiewicz, which supplies the lower spinal cord, most commonly arises from which posterior intercostal artery?
3rd intercostal artery
5th intercostal artery
1st intercostal artery
9th intercostal artery
The artery of Adamkiewicz is the largest anterior segmental medullary artery and most commonly arises from the left posterior intercostal artery at the level of the 9th intercostal space (T9). It is critical for lower spinal cord perfusion. Learn more.
0
{"name":"Which of the following is NOT a direct branch of the aortic arch?", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"Which of the following is NOT a direct branch of the aortic arch?, Which artery supplies the anterior chest wall and the mammary gland?, The continuation of the thoracic aorta after it passes through the aortic hiatus of the diaphragm is called the:","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}
Score3/15
Easy0/5
Medium2/5
Hard1/4
Expert0/1
AI Study Notes
Email these to me
You can bookmark this page to review your notes in future, or fill out the email box below to email them to yourself.
Study Outcomes
Identify key arteries of the thorax -
Recognize and name the primary arteries of the thorax, understanding their anatomical locations within the chest cavity.
Locate arterial branching patterns -
Trace how major blood vessels of the thorax divide into branches, reinforcing spatial relationships among thoracic arteries.
Describe functional roles -
Explain the physiological significance of each artery in the thorax and how they contribute to blood flow and organ perfusion.
Differentiate arteries and thoracic veins -
Distinguish arteries in the thorax from thoracic veins by comparing their structure, function, and direction of blood flow.
Analyze clinical relevance -
Apply knowledge of blood vessels of the thorax to common clinical scenarios, such as identifying sites prone to vascular injury.
Reinforce anatomical knowledge -
Use quiz feedback to pinpoint gaps in your understanding of thoracic vasculature and guide further study.
Cheat Sheet
Aortic Arch Branches (The "ABC" Mnemonic) -
Learn the three primary trunks of the arch - Brachiocephalic, Left Common Carotid, Left Subclavian - using "ABC" to recall the order. These arteries of the thorax supply head, neck, and upper limbs and set the stage for downstream blood vessels of the thorax. Gray's Anatomy (41st ed.) emphasizes their surgical and imaging landmarks.
Internal Thoracic Artery & Graft Utility -
As a prominent artery of the thorax, the internal thoracic artery originates from the subclavian and descends ~1 cm lateral to the sternum, giving anterior intercostal branches before dividing into musculophrenic and superior epigastric arteries. It's nicknamed the "IMA" and is the gold standard conduit in CABG surgeries due to its long-term patency (Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 2019). Remember: "IMA for CABG."
Posterior Intercostal Arteries and Collateral Circulation -
The descending thoracic aorta issues nine pairs of posterior intercostal arteries (3rd - 11th spaces), running in costal grooves beneath each rib. They anastomose with anterior intercostal branches from the internal thoracic artery, forming vital collateral networks among blood vessels of the thorax (Netter's Atlas of Human Anatomy).
Bronchial Arteries and Pulmonary Supply -
Typically there are two left and one right bronchial artery arising from the thoracic aorta, supplying the bronchial tree and visceral pleura with systemic oxygenated blood. Use the "2L + 1R" rule to remember their usual pattern and contrast with pulmonary arteries (Lewis et al., Thoracic Radiology, 2021).
Esophageal Arteries and Anastomotic Zones -
Several small esophageal arteries branch from the thoracic aorta to supply the middle esophagus, forming critical anastomoses with superior thyroid and left gastric blood vessels of the thorax. These connections underpin esophageal variceal development in portal hypertension (Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine).
