The circumflex scapular artery is an artery of the upper back.
It contributes to the blood supply of structures within the scapular region of the back.
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Course
The circumflex scapular artery arises as a terminal branch of the subscapular artery within the axilla.
It first travels posteriorly, curving around lateral border of the scapula. It passes through the triangular space to leave the axilla and enter the upper back region.
Here, the circumflex scapular artery gives rise to two cutaneous branches:
- Horizontal branch – supplies an area of skin overlying the spine of the scapula.
- Descending branch – supplies an area of skin overlying the lateral border of the scapula.
Within the infraspinous fossa of the scapula, the circumflex scapula terminates by dividing into two branches, which anastomose with the suprascapular artery superiorly and dorsal scapular artery inferiorly.
Fig 1
Origin of the circumflex scapular artery from the subscapular axis.
Fig 2
The circumflex scapular artery anastomoses with the suprascapular and dorsal scapular arteries.
Supply
The circumflex scapular artery contributes to the blood supply of the following structures:
- Scapula
- Subcutaneous tissue and skin overlying the scapula.
- Teres major and minor
- Deltoid
- Long head of triceps brachii
