Corpus: Posterior humeral circumflex artery

The posterior circumflex humeral artery originates from the axillary artery under the subscapularis muscle and travels posteriorly through the lateral axillary gap along with the axillary nerve. It wraps around the neck of the humerus, sending smaller branches to the shoulder joint and deltoid muscle, before anastomosing distally with the anterior circumflex humeral artery and the deep artery of the arm (Arteria profunda brachii).

• The posterior circumflex humeral artery often has a common origin with the subscapular artery.

• In about 7 % of cases, the deep artery of the arm originates from the posterior circumflex humeral artery (according to Lanz-Wachsmuth). In this variation, the deep artery of the arm runs dorsally to the tendon of the teres major muscle distally.

• Approximately 16 % of the time, the posterior circumflex humeral artery originates from a typical deep artery of the arm and then does not pass through the lateral axillary gap.

The posterior circumflex humeral artery supplies parts of the glenohumeral joint, the teres major muscle and teres minor muscle, and the deltoid muscle.