Thoracic and abdominal aorta, illustration. Three large arterial trunks arise from the arch of the aorta: the brachiocephalic, left common carotid, left subclavian that supply the head and neck and limbs. Intercostal arteries from the descending thoracic aorta supply the rib cage. Intercostal veins (blue) drain into the azygos vein. The renal arteries from the abdominal aorta are shown supplying the kidneys. From Schafer, E.A. And Thane, G.D. 1899 Quain's Elements of Anatomy, Longmans Green, London.