112 A MANUAL OF ANATOMY. 



plying the deep muscles of the neck, and some branches to 

 the interior of the spinal canal. (V) Tracheal, to the trachea. 

 (d) CEsophageal, to the oesophagus. (e) The inferior 

 laryngeal, which accompanies the inferior laryngeal nerve 

 into the larynx. 



The Transverse Cervical Artery. Figs. 17 and 18. 



It is the second (usually) in size of the branches of the 

 thyroid axis. 



Its course is as indicated by its name, transversely out- 

 ward across the neck just above the clavicle, to disappear 

 under the trapezius muscle, where it divides into its termi- 

 nal branches. 



In its outward course it crosses the phrenic nerve, scale- 

 nus anticus, brachial plexus, and scalenus medius ; and is 

 crossed by the omohyoid (posterior belly). 



Its terminal branches are the (a) superficial cervical, 

 which turns upward under the trapezius to anastomose with 

 the superficial branch of the princeps cervicis of the occipi- 

 tal artery, in its course giving branches to the trapezius, 

 levator anguli scapulae and splenius muscles, between which 

 it lies ; and (&) the posterior scapular, which is usually given 

 off the third portion of the subclavian. 



If given off the transverse cervical its course is downward 

 and backward under the levator anguli scapulae to the upper 

 angle of the scapula. 



For the continuation of its course, see page 370. 



The Suprascapular Artery. Fig. 18. 



The third and often smallest branch of the thyroid axis. 



It takes a course outward behind the clavicle to the 

 suprascapular notch, where it crosses above the ligament, 

 which converts this notch into a foramen, the nerve of 

 this name passing through \heforamen. See page 371. 



