a. and sb. Anat. [f. mod.L. subclāvi-us (see below) + -AN. F. has sousclavier (from 16th c.).] A. adj.
1. Lying or extending under the clavicle.
Subclavian artery, the principal artery of the root of the neck, being the main trunk of the arterial system of the upper extremity. Subclavian muscle = SUBCLAVIUS. Subclavian vein, the continuation of the axillary vein from the first rib till it joins the internal jugular vein.
1681. trans. Willis’ Rem. Med. Wks., Vocab., Subclavian vessels; the vessels that belong to the little ribs of the breast.
1688. R. Holme, Armoury, II. xvii. 423/1. The right Subclavian Arterie.
1702. Phil. Trans., XXIII. 1188. That part of the Axillary-Arteries, by some called the Subclavian Arteries. Ibid. (1705), XXV. 2010. I found the same Tumor comprehending the intercostals, Deltoides, Subclavian, and Subscapulary Muscles.
1770. Fordyce, in Monthly Rev., 310. The thoracic duct … commonly terminates in the left subclavian vein.
1808. Barclay, Musc. Motions, 239. The difference of manner in which the carotid and subclavian arteries, on the two sides, arise from the aorta.
1834. J. Forbes, Laennec’s Dis. Chest (ed. 4), 19. Subclavian region. This includes merely the portion of the chest covered by the clavicle.
1887. Conan Doyle, Study in Scarlet, I. i. I was struck on the shoulder by a Jezail bullet, which shattered the bone and grazed the subclavian artery.
b. Pertaining to the subclavian artery, vein, or muscle, as subclavian groove, etc. (see quots.).
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., IV. iv. 188. The Liver, which though it be seated on the right side, yet by the subclavian division doth equidistantly communicate its activity unto either arme.
1870. Rolleston, Anim. Life, 15. The right arteria innominata is seen to divide into its common carotid and subclavian trunks.
1890. Billings, Nat. Med. Dict., Subclavian glands, lymphatic glands under the arch of the right subclavian artery. Subclavian groove, 1. That in which the subclavian artery lies on upper surface of first rib. 2. That into which the subclavius muscle is inserted on under surface of clavicle.
2. [As if f. L. sub under + clāvis key.] (See quot.) rare–0.
1656. Blount, Glossogr., Subclavian, pertaining to that which is under lock and key.
B. sb. A subclavian vessel, nerve or muscle.
1719. Quincy, Lex. Physico-Med. (1722), 241. The Vein [Vena Pneumonica] opens into the Subclavian.
1771. Encycl. Brit., I. 226/2. The subclavian on each side terminates at the upper edge of the first rib.
1888. Rolleston & Jackson, Anim. Life, 365. The sub-clavians and carotids arise from the aortic arch in various ways.
