Anterior circumflex humeral vein
Vena circumflexa anterior humeri
A small vein that curves around the front of the surgical neck of the humerus and empties into the axillary vein.
At a glance
- English
- Anterior circumflex humeral vein
- Latin (TA2)
- Vena circumflexa anterior humeri
- System
- Vein
- Region
- Upper limb
- Side
- Paired, left and right
About the anterior circumflex humeral vein
The anterior circumflex humeral vein is the companion vein of the anterior circumflex humeral artery. It is a modest vessel, often paired, that drains the front of the shoulder: the head and upper shaft of the humerus, the anterior part of the shoulder joint and the overlying muscles. It finishes in the axillary vein, or sometimes in one of the brachial veins.
Its tributaries start on the front and lateral side of the proximal humerus. One branch descends from the region of the humeral head along the intertubercular groove, beside the tendon of the long head of biceps, matching the ascending branch of the artery. From there the vein passes medially across the front of the surgical neck, deep to coracobrachialis and the short head of biceps, to reach the axilla.
Laterally, around the neck of the humerus, it communicates with the larger posterior circumflex humeral vein, so that the two form a venous ring about the bone. It also has links with the veins of the deltoid and with the thoraco-acromial veins near the coracoid process.
The vessel is mainly of interest in shoulder surgery and trauma. During the deltopectoral approach the anterior circumflex vessels, often called the three sisters where they cross the lower edge of subscapularis, are tied or coagulated to expose the capsule. In fractures of the proximal humerus the anterior circumflex vessels may be torn, and the pattern of injury helps predict whether the blood supply to the humeral head has been preserved.
Course and drainage
- Begins at
- Begins from tributaries over the front of the humeral head, the intertubercular groove and the upper shaft.
- Drains into
- Ends in the axillary vein, sometimes in a brachial vein.
- Drains
- Drains the front of the shoulder joint, the proximal humerus and nearby parts of coracobrachialis, biceps and deltoid.
Anthromica
See the anterior circumflex humeral vein where it really sits, with every layer of the body around it.
- Every layer, one body. Peel from muscle to bone, nerve, vessel and organ, and turn it any way.
- English and Latin. Every structure named the way your exam names it.
- Quiz until it sticks. Short drills on the structures you keep missing.
Free to start. No card.
