Normal Anatomy

Scapular artery, dorsal

arises from the second, or more commonly the third, part of the subclavian artery. In a third of individuals it arises as a common trunk with the superficial cervical artery from the thyrocervical trunk when it is known as the transverse cervical artery. It passes laterally through the brachial plexus to the superior scapular angle and then descends along the medial scapular border to the inferior angle. Supplies the rhomboids, latissimus dorsi and trapezius muscles and anastomoses with the suprascapular, subscapular and posterior intercostal arteries. Also known as the descending scapular artery. See blood vessels, shoulder and thoracic wall (II), Fig. 1, blood vessels, upper thorax (II), Fig. 2

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