Brachiocephalic trunk

Truncus brachiocephalicus

CardiovascularBlood vesselsThorax

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What it is
The first and largest branch of the aortic arch. It rises behind the manubrium to the right of the trachea and divides behind the right sternoclavicular joint into the right common carotid and right subclavian arteries.
Function
Supplies the right side of the head and neck and the right upper limb.
Size
4–5 cm long, ~1.2 cm diameter.
Clinical note
Exists only on the right; in a common variant (so-called "bovine arch", ~15–25%) the left common carotid also arises from it.

Nearby cardiovascular structures Aortic arch, Ascending aorta, Left brachiocephalic vein, Left pulmonary artery, Left subclavian artery, Pulmonary trunk, Right brachiocephalic vein, Right pulmonary artery, Right subclavian artery, Superior vena cava