Schematic drawing of the posterior intercostal artery and its dorsal branch. 1, thoracic aorta; 2, posterior intercostal artery; 3, ventral branch; 4, dorsal branch; 5, spinal branch; 6, anterior radicular branch; 7, anterior spinal artery; 8, posterior radicular branch; 9, posterior spinal artery. (Modified from Leonhardt.34)