The anterior circumflex humeral artery is an artery of the shoulder region. It is a branch of the axillary artery.
It contributes to the blood supply of the shoulder joint and its associated muscles.
Premium Feature
3D Model
Course
The anterior circumflex humeral artery originates from the lateral aspect of the third part of the axillary artery. It is notably smaller in size than the posterior circumflex artery.
After its origin, the anterior circumflex humeral artery passes underneath the coracobrachialis and short head of the biceps brachii.
It then wraps around the anterior aspect of the humeral neck. At the intertubercular sulcus of the humerus, it gives rise to an ascending branch which supplies the head of the humerus. It terminates by anastomosing with the posterior circumflex artery.
Fig 1- The course of the anterior circumflex humeral artery
Premium Feature
Dissection Images
Supply
The anterior circumflex humeral artery contributes to the supply of the:
- Glenohumeral joint
- Head of the humerus
- Surrounding musculature – teres major, teres minor, deltoid, coracobrachialis