The pericardiacophrenic artery is a long slender branch of the internal thoracic artery.

Anatomy

Origin

The pericardiacophrenic artery branches from the internal thoracic artery.

Course

The pericardiacophrenic arteries travel through the thoracic cavity. They course through the fibrous pericardium. The pericardiacophrenic artery accompanies the phrenic nerve between the pleura and pericardium, to the diaphragm. This is where both the artery and the phrenic nerve are distributed.

Distribution

The pericardiacophrenic arteries provide arterial supply to the fibrous pericardium, and (along with the musculophrenic arteries) the diaphragm.

Anastomoses

It anastomoses with the musculophrenic, and superior phrenic arteries.