Axillary artery Parade", "Sixties Teens Love Sex And Pot", or "She Tastes Like Sweet Apple Pie." The origin of these branches is highly variable (e.g. the posterior and anterior circumflex arteries often have a common trunk). An arterial branch is named for its course, not its origin. Continues as the brachial artery past the inferior border of the teres major. The axillary artery can be safely clamped without endangering the arm, but only in a location proximal to the origin of the subscapular artery (and distal to the thyrocervical trunk of the subclavian artery). The anastomotic network surrounding the scapula provides an
Perforating branches of internal thoracic artery Perforating branches of internal thoracic artery The perforating branches of the internal thoracic artery pierce through the internal intercostal muscles of the superior six intercostal spaces. These small arteries run with the anterior cutaneous branches of the intercostal nerves. The perforating arteries constitute part of the blood supply to the pectoralis major and the overlying tissue and skin. The second, third and fourth perforating branches give off medial mammary branches, which become enlarged during lactation. Chung, Kyung Wong, Ph.D. "Board Review Series: Gross Anatomy, 3rd ed. 114-115. Williams and Wilkins: 1995." Lockhart, R.D., et al. "Anatomy of the Human Body."