Left thoracodorsal artery

Looks like

A branch of the subscapular artery running down the side of the chest into the latissimus dorsi, with its nerve.

What it does

Supplies the latissimus dorsi, the broad back muscle, and serratus anterior.

Keeping it well

Feeds the latissimus flap used in breast reconstruction; protected in armpit surgery.

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)
• Takayasu arteritis
• Thoracic outlet syndrome
• Vasculitis (GCA & others)