THORAX, inlet: VERTIBRAE, cervical: Arteries and Nerves
Object numberGC.9063
TitleTHORAX, inlet: VERTIBRAE, cervical: Arteries and Nerves
DescriptionDried and varnished specimen with wax-injected arteries.
Dissection showing certain structures at the root of the neck. The fourth cervical to the fourth thoracic vertebrae inclusive are included in the specimen along with the medial half of the left clavicle, the first and second pair of ribs with their intercostal muscles and the proximal portion of the manubrium sterni. Part of the aortic arch is preserved and the vessels arising from it are filled with coarse injection and are painted red. A corresponding portion of the trachea is preserved and on either side the nerves of the brachial plexus are defined and painted white. On each side of the trachea is a common carotid artery, the right arising from the innominate artery and both continued for some 30mm cephalad to that level. The subclavian arteries pass deep to their respective scalenus anterior muscle and are continued on the right side to the lower border of the first, and on the left side to the lower border of the second rib. Each gives off a good sized vertebral artery, the left of which is seen entering the foramen transversarium of the sixth cervical vertebra. The right has been broken off short. The thyreo-cervical artery and costo-cervical artery are recognisable on the left side, the thyreo-cervical giving off the inferior thyreoid and the transverse cervical artery, the transverse scapular artery coming from the main trunk distal to the costo-cervical artery. The arteria cervicalis profunda is traced for some distance on the left side, and in the thorax posteriorly can be seen on both sides the termination of the arteria intercostalis suprema. On each side the phrenic nerve is seen passing towards the thorax on the scalenus anterior muscle. On the right side the nerve seems broken off short at the level of the seventh cervical nerve but on the left side is seen originating from the third, fourth and fifth cervical nerves. On either side the anterior divisions of the fifth and sixth cervical nerves emerge from the intervertebral foramina and unite to form an upper cord; the seventh nerve passes alone, while the eighth cervical and a large communication from the first thoracic nerve unite to form the lower cord. On the left side a large branch from the upper cord unites with the seventh cervical nerve to form the posterior cord, after which level on both sides the lateral, posterior and medial cords of the brachial plexus can be recognised.
Object categoryAnatomical, specimen
Dimensions
- Container Height: 21.5 cm
Diameter: 19 cm