Inferior thyroid artery

The inferior thyroid artery passes upward, in front of the vertebral artery and Longus colli; then turns medialward behind the carotid sheath and its contents, and also behind the sympathetic trunk, the middle cervical ganglion resting upon the vessel.

Reaching the lower border of the thyroid gland it divides into two branches, which supply the postero-inferior parts of the gland, and anastomose with the superior thyroid, and with the corresponding artery of the opposite side.

The recurrent nerve passes upward generally behind, but occasionally in front, of the artery.

Branches
The branches of the inferior thyroid are:
 * Inferior laryngeal artery
 * Esophageal artery
 * Tracheal artery
 * Ascending cervical artery
 * Muscular artery