The costocervical trunk is a short vessel that originates from the subclavian artery; on the right, it arises from the peak of the subclavian convexity, whereas on the left it arises at a lower, more anterior level of the subclavian artery.  It passes posteriorly over the cervical pleura and at the level of the first rib, bifurcates into the superior intercostal and deep cervical arteries.