Brachiocephalic artery

Looks like

The first and largest branch of the aortic arch, a short thick trunk rising on the right behind the breastbone.

What it does

Splits into the right common carotid (head) and right subclavian (arm) arteries.

Keeping it well

Narrowing is rare; a tracheostomy tube can erode into it and cause major bleeding.

Related conditions

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Hypothermia & frostbite
• Kawasaki disease
• Metabolic syndrome
• Orthostatic hypotension & POTS
• Peripheral artery disease
• Phaeochromocytoma & hyperaldosteronism
• Pre-eclampsia
• Raynaud's phenomenon
• Sepsis
• Shock (circulatory failure)
• Vasculitis (GCA & others)