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.

Circumflex scapular artery
The scapular and circumflex arteries. (Scapular circumflex visible at center.)
The axillary artery and its branches. (Scap. cir. visible near center.)
Details
SourceSubscapular artery
Identifiers
Latinarteria circumflexa scapulae
TA98A12.2.09.015
TA24629
FMA23179
Anatomical terminology

It curves around the axillary border of the scapula, traveling through the anatomical "triangular space" made up of the teres minor superiorly, the teres major inferiorly, 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

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In its course it gives off two branches:

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

References

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  This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 588 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

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