Robert Bennett Bean 311 



The transverse cervical artery' arises from Part II in 39% of the sub- 

 jects, from Part I in 36% of the subjects (alone or with the thyroid 

 axis), and from Part III,' or from the axillary artery in 25% of them. 

 Quain gives the most frequent origin of the transverse cervical artery 

 from the thyroid axis, dividing into the jjosterior scapular and superfi- 

 cial cervical; tlie next in frequency being the posterior scapular from 

 Part III and the superficial cervical from the thyroid axis; the least 

 frequent mode of origin being from Part III, and dividing into posterior 

 scapular and superficial cervical arteries. We found the following ap- 

 proximately : 



The transverse cervical artery arises on the right side from Part II, 

 dividing into ascending [superficial cervical (?)] and descending (pos- 

 terior scapular) rami, and on the left side from the thyroid axis, dividing 

 into ascending and descending rami, having previously given off the 

 superficial cervical artery. The ascending ramus of the transverse cer- 

 vical artery arises lateral to the levator scapulae muscle, and, dividing al- 

 most immediately, sends one branch parallel to the superior lateral bor- 

 der of the trapezius and beneath it to the occiput. The other branch 

 passes parallel to the inferior lateral border of the same muscle and 

 beneath it to the level of the seventh thoracic vertebra, sending a large 

 branch to the rhomboid muscles. The descending ramus follws the pre- 

 scribed course of the posterior scapular artery as given in English and 

 American text-books. The relation of the two sides of the body with 

 reference to the origin of the transverse cervical artery shows the two 

 sides alike in 29 subjects, unlike in 13. In 10 of the latter the artery 

 arises from Part II on the right side, and from the thyroid axis on the 

 left side. 



The superficial cervical artery ' is considered to be a branch that passes 

 from the transverse cervical artery in 60% of the subjects, from the in- 

 ferior thyroid artery in 22% of the subjects, and from the suprascapular 

 artery in 18% of the subjects, terminating just beneath the lateral bor- 

 der of the trapezius muscle. The artery is more commonly a number 

 of small branches arising along the transverse cervical artery as it 

 traverses the neck. The ascending ramus of the transverse cervical artery 

 is described by some anatomists as the superficial cervical artery (Quain). 



The casto-cervical trunl" a small short artery, arises from Part I in 

 90% of the subjects; from Part II in 9% of the subjects, and from 



^Tables 6, 7, and 8, p. 319. 



« Table 9, p. 320. 



"Tables 10 and 11, p. 320. 



