Suprascapular artery
From Ganfyd
The suprascapular artery (transverse scapular artery) is a branch of the thyrocervical trunk, which is itself a branch of the subclavian artery.
| Suprascapular artery | |
|---|---|
| | |
| System: | |
| Function: | |
| Origin: | Thyrocervical trunk |
| Branches: | Suprasternal branch, acromial branch |
| Insertion: | |
| Arterial supply: | To supraspinatus, sternocleidomastoid, subclavius, skin of the upper chest, skin over the acromion |
| Venous drainage: | |
| Lymphatic drainage: | |
| Innervation: | |
| Vertebral levels: | |
| Search for Suprascapular artery in Gray's. | |
Contents |
Anatomical Course
The suprascapular artery arises from the thyrocervical trunk, passing inferolaterally across scalenus anterior and the phrenic nerve posterior to sternocleidomastoid. It crosses the subclavian artery and brachial plexus to run posteriorly to the clavicle beneath the clavicular belly of omohyoid. At the superior border of the scapula it passes over the superior transverse ligament (unlike the suprascapular nerve which passes beneath it) to enter the supraspinous fossa.
It lies close to the scapula in the supraspinous fossa, moving laterally, and then inferiorly behind the neck of the scapula. It traverses the great scapular notch beneath the inferior transverse ligament to enter the infraspinous fossa.
Branches
The artery has two major branches: a suprasternal branch and an acromial branch. Both arise from the artery in the infraspinous fossa. It also supplies a branch to the subscapular fossa, usually as it passes over the superior transverse ligament.
Suprasternal branch
This branch crosses the sternal end of the clavicle to end in the skin of the upper chest.
Acromial branch
This pierces trapezius to supply the skin over the acromion of the scapula.
Relations
In the neck:
- Scalenus anterior
- Phrenic nerve
- Sternocleidomastoid - anteriorly
- Subclavian artery
- Brachial plexus
- Clavicle - anteriorly
- Subclavius - anteriorly
- Inferior portion of omohyoid - superiorly
Around the scapula:
- Superior transverse ligament - inferiorly
- Suprascapular nerve - inferiorly
- Scapula
- Supraspinatus
- Inferior transverse ligament
Anastamoses
- Scapular circumflex artery
- Descending branch of the transverse cervical artery
- Thoracoacromial artery - acromial branch
- Subscapular artery - branch to subscapular fossa
Arterial Supply
- Supraspinatus
- Sternocleidomastoid
- Subclavius
- Acromioclavicular joint
- Shoulder
- Clavicle - supplies the nutrient artery
Suprasternal branch:
- Skin of the upper chest
Acromial branch:
- Skin over the acromion
Variations
- May arise directly from the third part of the subclavian artery.
