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Transverse cervical artery

The transverse cervical artery is a key branch of the thyrocervical trunk that supplies vascularization to the neck, particularly the trapezius muscle and surrounding structures. It plays an essential role in the vascular anatomy of the posterior triangle of the neck and is important in surgical, radiological, and anatomical contexts. Understanding its imaging characteristics across MRI and CT modalities is vital for accurate diagnosis, pre-surgical planning, and assessment of vascular pathologies.

Synonyms

  • Cervical transverse artery

  • Arteria transversa cervicis

  • Transversalis colli artery

  • Transverse artery of the neck

Function

  • Supplies blood to the trapezius muscle, parts of the levator scapulae, and rhomboid muscles.

  • Provides important collateral circulation in the neck region.

  • May contribute to the vascular supply of the scapular and cervical regions in variant anatomy.

Anatomy

  • Origin: Arises from the thyrocervical trunk (a branch of the subclavian artery).

  • Course: Travels laterally across the base of the neck, anterior to the anterior scalene muscle, and deep to the sternocleidomastoid.

  • Branches: Often divides into superficial and deep branches. The deep branch may be called the dorsal scapular artery if it supplies the rhomboid muscles.

MRI Appearance

  • T1-weighted images:

    • The artery appears as a flow void (dark structure) due to the rapid movement of blood.

    • Surrounding fat and muscle are used for anatomical localization.

  • T2-weighted images:

    • Also demonstrates as a flow void, remaining hypointense (dark) compared to surrounding tissues.

    • Pathological changes (such as thrombosis or abnormal flow) may alter this appearance.

  • STIR (Short Tau Inversion Recovery):

    • The vessel remains hypointense (dark) as flowing blood suppresses signal.

    • STIR enhances edema or inflammation in adjacent soft tissue, not the vessel itself.

  • TOF (Time-of-Flight) MR Angiography:

    • The transverse cervical artery appears hyperintense (bright), showing clear luminal flow and vessel course.

    • Useful for non-contrast evaluation of the vessel's patency and anatomical variations.

CT Appearance

  • Non-contrast CT:

    • The artery is difficult to visualize; may appear as a small, soft tissue density in expected anatomical location.

    • Bony landmarks (cervical vertebrae, clavicle) are used for orientation.

  • Contrast-Enhanced CT/CTA (CT Angiography):

    • The transverse cervical artery enhances brightly, outlining its course from origin to terminal branches.

    • CTA provides detailed visualization of the vessel, allowing assessment for aneurysms, stenosis, or other vascular abnormalities.

MRI images

Transverse cervical artery axial image

CT images

Transverse cervical artery anatomy CT axial image -img-00000-00000

CT images

Transverse cervical artery anatomy CT axial image -img-00000-00000_00001