Scapular anastomosis
Encyclopedia
The scapular anastomosis is a system connecting each subclavian artery
and the corresponding axillary artery
, forming an anastomosis
around the scapula
. It allows blood to flow past the joint regardless of the position of the arm. It includes:
The transverse cervical artery gives off a branch, the dorsal scapular artery, which accompanies the dorsal scapular nerve and runs down the vertebral border of the scapula to its inferior angle.
The suprascapular artery branches off from the thyrocervical trunk, which in turn arises from the first part of the subclavian artery. This suprascapular artery crosses over the suprascapular ligament, passes through the supraspinous fossa and turns around the lateral border of the spine of the scapula and supplies the infraspinous fossa as far as the inferior angle.
The subscapular artery branches from the third part of the axillary and supplies the subscapularis muscle in the subscapular fossa as far as the inferior angle. The subscapular artery gives off a circumflex scapular branch that enters the infraspinous fossa on the dorsal surface of the bone, grooving the axillary border.
All these vessels anastamose or join to connect the first part of the subclavian with the third part of the axillary, providing a collateral circulation. This collateral circulation allows for blood to continue circulating if the subclavian is obstructed.
Subclavian artery
In human anatomy, the subclavian arteries are two major arteries of the upper thorax , below the clavicle . They receive blood from the top of the aorta...
and the corresponding axillary artery
Axillary artery
In human anatomy, the axillary artery is a large blood vessel that conveys oxygenated blood to the lateral aspect of the thorax, the axilla and the upper limb...
, forming an anastomosis
Anastomosis
An anastomosis is the reconnection of two streams that previously branched out, such as blood vessels or leaf veins. The term is used in medicine, biology, mycology and geology....
around the scapula
Scapula
In anatomy, the scapula , omo, or shoulder blade, is the bone that connects the humerus with the clavicle ....
. It allows blood to flow past the joint regardless of the position of the arm. It includes:
- transverse cervical arteryTransverse cervical arteryThe transverse cervical artery is a branch of the thyrocervical trunk, running at a higher level than the suprascapular artery.-Path:...
- transverse scapular artery
- branches of subscapular arterySubscapular arteryThe subscapular artery, the largest branch of the axillary artery, arises at the lower border of the Subscapularis muscle, which it follows to the inferior angle of the scapula, where it anastomoses with the lateral thoracic and intercostal arteries and with the descending branch of the transverse...
- branches of thoracic aortaThoracic aortaThe thoracic aorta is contained in the posterior mediastinal cavity.It begins at the lower border of the fourth thoracic vertebra where it is continuous with the aortic arch, and ends in front of the lower border of the twelfth thoracic vertebra, at the aortic hiatus in the diaphragm where it...
The transverse cervical artery gives off a branch, the dorsal scapular artery, which accompanies the dorsal scapular nerve and runs down the vertebral border of the scapula to its inferior angle.
The suprascapular artery branches off from the thyrocervical trunk, which in turn arises from the first part of the subclavian artery. This suprascapular artery crosses over the suprascapular ligament, passes through the supraspinous fossa and turns around the lateral border of the spine of the scapula and supplies the infraspinous fossa as far as the inferior angle.
The subscapular artery branches from the third part of the axillary and supplies the subscapularis muscle in the subscapular fossa as far as the inferior angle. The subscapular artery gives off a circumflex scapular branch that enters the infraspinous fossa on the dorsal surface of the bone, grooving the axillary border.
All these vessels anastamose or join to connect the first part of the subclavian with the third part of the axillary, providing a collateral circulation. This collateral circulation allows for blood to continue circulating if the subclavian is obstructed.