- Second branch of the aortic arch
- Arises behind manubrium sterni and ascends to a point behind the left sternoclavicular joint
- Has a short thoracic course in the superior mediastinum
Chief relations in the thoracic portion
Anterior
- Left brachiocephalic vein
Posterior
- Trachea
- Recurrent left laryngeal nerve
- Oesophagus
- Thoracic duct
Left
- Left pleura
- Left phrenic
- Vagus nerves
- Left subclavian artery
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