The costocervical trunk is a relatively short branch of the subclavian artery (Read more!). It arises from its second (retro-scalene) part and is only 0.2 to 0.4 inches (0.5 to 1 centimeters) long. Overall, it supplies arterial blood to the first two intercostal spaces and muscles of the neck region.

The costocervical trunk branches off the subclavian artery from its posterior surface lateral to the thyrocervical trunk. Further, it passes in a posterosuperior direction over the apex of the lung, dividing into the following two branches:

Superior (supreme) intercostal artery - travels inferiorly and posteriorly along the posterior and medial aspects of the thorax, going between the necks of the first and second ribs and their adjacent pleura. Here, it divides into two posterior intercostal arteries (Read more!) that supply the structures within the upper two intercostal spaces, including the upper two intercostal muscles, skin and parietal pleura.
Deep cervical artery - passes in a posterosuperior direction between the facet (zygapophyseal) joints. The deep cervical artery goes parallel to the cervical spine towards the skull. It terminates at the level of the axis (C2) by anastomosing with the branches of the occipital or vertebral arteries anterior to the semispinalis capitis muscle. Overall, the deep cervical artery supplies the joint capsules and synovial membranes of the facet joints. Also, it provides muscular branches to the deep muscles of the neck and upper back and spinal branches to the spinal cord of the cervical spine.

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Costocervical trunk