What anatomical structure does the subclavian artery and brachial plexus pass through?

The subclavian artery and brachial plexus pass through the scalene gap, which is formed between the anterior and middle scalene muscles in the neck. This anatomical structure acts as a passageway for the subclavian artery and the roots of the brachial plexus as they move from the neck to the upper limb.

The scalene muscles are important musculoskeletal structures that aid in respiration and neck movements, and the scalene gap is clinically significant because the structures that traverse it can be susceptible to compression, leading to conditions such as thoracic outlet syndrome. Understanding this passage is crucial for comprehending the vascular and nervous supply to the upper extremity.

In contrast, the thoracic cavity refers to the space within the ribcage; the clavicular notch is an area where the sternum and the clavicle articulate; and the intercostal space pertains to the areas between the ribs where intercostal muscles and vessels are located. None of these structures serve as the pathway for the subclavian artery and brachial plexus as distinctly as the scalene gap does.