Corpus: Suprascapular artery

The suprascapular artery initially passes over the anterior scalene muscle and the phrenic nerve, descending caudally and laterally. It is obscured by the sternocleidomastoid muscle during this course. Subsequently, the vessel crosses the subclavian artery and the brachial plexus, passing behind the clavicle and the subclavius muscle to continue laterally towards the upper edge of the scapula. Along this path, the artery passes beneath the lower belly of the omohyoid muscle, giving off the acromial branch to the acromial branch.

Upon reaching the scapula, the vessel courses over the superior transverse scapular ligament, which separates the artery from the corresponding nerve (suprascapular nerve), entering the supraspinous fossa. Here, the artery is found between the bone and the supraspinatus muscle, supplying it with several branches. The vessel then descends laterally to the spine of the scapula, passing through the spinoglenoid notch into the infraspinous fossa. There, it anastomoses with the circumflex scapular artery and the descending branch of the transverse cervical artery (scapular anastomosis).

Additional Branches

• Suprasternal branch
• Acromial branch

The suprascapular artery supplies the sternocleidomastoid muscle, subclavius muscle, supraspinatus muscle and infraspinatus muscles, as well as parts of the clavicle, acromioclavicular joint, and shoulder joint with arterial blood. The cutaneous branches nourish portions of the skin in the upper chest region and over the acromion.