Subcostal arteries

The subcostal arteries, so named because they lie below the last ribs, constitute the lowest pair of branches derived from the thoracic aorta, and are in series with the intercostal arteries.

Each intercostal artery is accompanied by the corresponding (i.e. ipsilateral) subcostal vein and nerve.^[1]: 276 Each passes along the lower border of the 12th rib.^[2]

Before entering the anterior abdominal wall, each runs laterally upon the anterior surface of the lumbar fascia (and thus also anterior to the underlying quadratus lumborum muscle which the lumbar fascia envelops) posterior to the ipsilateral kidney.^[1]: 276 It then pierces the posterior aponeurosis of the transversus abdominis,^{[citation needed]} thus entering the anterior abdominal wall to course in between the abdominal internal oblique muscle and transverse abdominal muscle (the neurovascular plane of the anterior abdominal wall).^[1]: 276

Each subcostal artery gives off a posterior branch which has a similar distribution to the posterior ramus of an intercostal artery.^[2]

It anastomoses with the superior epigastric, lower intercostal, and lumbar arteries.^[2]

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 601 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

• Anatomy figure: 21:06-06 at Human Anatomy Online, SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "Branches of the ascending aorta, arch of the aorta, and the descending aorta."