Brachiocephalic trunk

The brachiocephalic trunk (BCT) (also known as the brachiocephalic artery, and previously as the innominate artery) is a major vessel that supplies the head, neck and right arm.

Gross anatomy

The brachiocephalic trunk is the first of the three main branches of the aortic arch, which originates from the upward convexity. It measures 4-5 cm in length with a diameter of 12.1 ± 1.6 mm.

After arising in the midline, it courses upwards to the right, crossing the trachea and bifurcates posterior to the right sternoclavicular joint, into the right subclavian and right common carotid arteries. It has no other branches.

Variant anatomy

Related pathology

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