The Subscapular Artery in the Axillary Region: Tracking its Anatomical Distribution for Clinical Application

Abstract

The subscapular arterial vessel, the largest branch of the axillary artery, is a key player in the blood supply of the pectoral girdle and associated upper limb musculature. Its multiple branches ensure the functional integrity of the region. Identification of its pattern and distribution is clinically essential to avoid insult during invasive surgical procedures. Forty‐six subscapular trunks from twenty‐three donor bodies were examined from the first year gross anatomy course for SUNY Downstate College of Medicine. In this study we recorded subscapular anatomical patterns, noting variation of arterial branching. 82.6% of our sample exhibited the template pattern reported in anatomy textbooks. The vessel originates from the posterior aspect of the third part of the axillary artery, following the inferior margin of the subscapularis muscle for a few centimeters before dividing into two terminal branches, the circumflex scapular and thoracodorsal arteries. Variations in the overall arterial pattern of the axillary artery appear to be taken up by the subscapular vessel, for example, the posterior circumflex humeral artery comes off the subscapular or the thoracodorsal vessels in three individuals. Another common variation we encountered was the origination of the lateral thoracic artery from the thoracodorsal instead of the second part of the axillary artery. Knowledge of the frequency and distribution of the subscapular vessel will aid in successful transplantation procedures used in reconstructive surgeries.