Internal Thoracic Artery – Mnemonic

• I – Internal thoracic artery originates from the subclavian artery.

• N – Nipple, it’s located slightly medial to the nipple.

• T – Two branches at the sixth or seventh intercostal cartilage (musculophrenic and superior epigastric arteries).

• E – Extends from clavicle to umbilicus, supplying the anterior chest wall.

• R – Runs under the fascia and deep to the intercostal muscles.

• N – Near the sternum, about 1-2 centimeters lateral to the sternal margin.

• A – Anastomoses with the inferior epigastric artery.

• L – Lies closest to the sternum at the first intercostal space.

• T – Terminates at the sixth or seventh intercostal space.

• H – Has branches for the breast, thymus, mediastinum, and sternum.

• O – Originates as a branch of the subclavian artery.

• R – Runs vertically along the inner surface of the anterior chest wall.

• A – Accompanied by internal thoracic veins.

• C – Connects with the superior epigastric and musculophrenic arteries.

• I – Important in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

• C – Continues to descend inferiorly giving off anterior intercostal arteries.

• A – Arises near the origin of the subclavian artery.

• R – Runs deep to the abdominal external oblique muscle.

• T – Travels inferiorly along the inner surface of the anterior chest wall.

• E – Emits perforating cutaneous branches along the thorax.

• R – Reaches the sixth to seventh costal cartilage before bifurcating.

• Y – You can see it pulsating in some cases.

Mnemonic :  INTERNAL THORACIC ARTERY