View source for Circumflex scapular artery

{{Use American English|date = January 2019}}
{{Short description|Artery of the upper body}}
{{Use mdy dates|date = January 2019}}
{{No footnotes|article|date=June 2015}}
{{Infobox artery
| Name        = Circumflex scapular artery
| Latin       = arteria circumflexa scapulae
| Image       = Gray524.png
| Caption     = The scapular and circumflex arteries. (Scapular circumflex visible at center.)
| Image2      = Gray523.png
| Caption2    = The axillary artery and its branches. (Scap. cir. visible near center.)
| BranchFrom  = [[Subscapular artery]]
| BranchTo    =
| Vein        =
| Supplies    =
}}
The '''circumflex scapular [[artery]]''' ('''scapular circumflex artery''', '''dorsalis scapulae artery''') is a branch of the [[subscapular artery]] and part of the scapular anastomoses.

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==
In its course it gives off two branches: 
* one (infrascapular) enters the [[subscapular fossa]] beneath the Subscapularis, which it supplies, anastomosing with the [[transverse scapular artery]] and the descending branch of the [[transverse cervical]].
* the other is continued along the axillary border of the scapula, between the [[teres major]] and minor, and at the dorsal surface of the [[inferior angle]] anastomosis with the descending branch of the transverse cervical (dorsal scapular).

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

==References==
{{Gray's}}

==External links==
* {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|03|05|01|01}} - "Triangular Space of Scapular Region"
* {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|05|07|03|02}} - "Major Branches of the Axillary Artery"
* {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|05|04|18}} - "The axillary artery and its major branches shown in relation to major landmarks."
* {{NormanAnatomy|lesson3axillaryart&vein}}

{{Arteries of upper limbs}}
{{Portal bar|Anatomy}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Arteries of the upper limb]]