Human Anatomy - Kotsan I. Y. 2009

Vessels of the Lesser (Pulmonary) Circulation
Branches of the Thoracic Aorta
Visceral Branches of the Thoracic Aorta

1. The bronchial branches (rr. bronchiales), numbering two to three, run to the Trachea and Bronchi, anastomosing with Branches of the pulmonary artery and supplying Blood to the bronchial walls and lung tissue.

2. The esophageal branches (rr. oesophageales), numbering three to six, arise from the aorta at the level of the IV to VIII thoracic vertebrae, supplying blood to the thoracic part of the Esophagus. The lower esophageal branches anastomose with branches of the left gastric artery.

3. The pericardial branches (rr. pericardiaci) pass to the posterior region of the Pericardium (the pericardial sac).

4. The mediastinal branches (rr. mediastinales) are numerous small branches originating from the anterior and lateral walls of the aorta that supply blood to the Connective Tissue of the posterior Mediastinum and the Lymph Nodes located within it.

Arterial anastomoses of the Thoracic Aorta. The Branches of the thoracic aorta form anastomoses with Arteries originating from other sources. The bronchial branches anastomose with branches of the pulmonary artery. The spinal branches (from the posterior intercostal arteries) anastomose within the vertebral canal with the corresponding branches of the opposite side. Along the Spinal Cord, there is an anastomosis between the spinal branches originating from the posterior intercostal arteries and the spinal branches derived from the vertebral, ascending cervical, and lumbar arteries. The posterior intercostal arteries (I–VIII) anastomose with the anterior intercostal branches (from the internal thoracic artery), while the IX–X posterior intercostal arteries form connections with branches of the superior epigastric artery (from the internal thoracic artery).