The brachiocephalic trunk is another word for the brachiocephalic artery. The brachiocephalic artery supplies blood to the tissues of the brain and the head. It is the first branch of the aortic arch and rises up to a point near the junction of the sternum (breast bone) and the right clavicle (collarbone). At this point, it divides, giving rise to the common carotid artery, which carries blood to the right side of the neck and head, and the right subclavian artery, which leads to the right arm.