Circumflex scapular artery

The circumflex scapular artery (scapular circumflex artery, dorsalis scapulae artery) is a branch of the subscapular artery and part of the scapular anastomoses.

It curves around the axillary border of the scapula, traveling through the anatomical "Triangular space" made up of the Teres minor superiorally, the Teres major inferiorally, and the long head of the Triceps laterally.

It enters the infraspinatous fossa under cover of the Teres minor, and anastomoses with the transverse scapular artery (suprascapular) and the descending branch of the transverse cervical (a.k.a. dorsal scapular artery).

Branches

In its course it gives off two branches:

• one (infrascapular) enters the subscapular fossa beneath the Subscapularis, which it supplies, anastomosing with the transverse scapular artery and the descending branch of the transverse cervical.
• the other is continued along the axillary border of the scapula, between the Teres major and minor, and at the dorsal surface of the inferior angle anastomosis with the descending branch of the transverse cervical (dorsal scapular).

In addition to these, small branches are distributed to the back part of the Deltoideus and the long head of the Triceps brachii, anastomosing with an ascending branch of the profunda brachii.

External links

• circumflex+scapular+artery at eMedicine Dictionary
• SUNY Labs 03:05-0101 - "Triangular Space of Scapular Region"
• SUNY Labs 05:07-0302 - "Major Branches of the Axillary Artery"
• SUNY Figs 05:04-18 - "The axillary artery and its major branches shown in relation to major landmarks."
• lesson3axillaryart&vein at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University)

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.