Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Inferior thyroid artery
Introduction
The inferior thyroid artery passes upward, in front of the vertebral artery and Longus colli; then turns medialward behind the carotid sheath and its contents, and also behind the sympathetic trunk, the middle cervical ganglion resting upon the vessel.
Reaching the lower border of the thyroid gland it divides into two branches, which supply the postero-inferior parts of the gland, and anastomose with the superior thyroid, and with the corresponding artery of the opposite side.
The recurrent nerve passes upward generally behind, but occasionally in front, of the artery.
Branches
Branches
The branches of the inferior thyroid are:
Additional images
Additional images
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Superficial dissection of the right side of the neck, showing the carotid and subclavian arteries. -
The position and relation of the esophagus in the cervical region and in the posterior mediastinum. Seen from behind.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]