Circumflex scapular vein

At a glance

English

Circumflex scapular vein

Latin (TA2)

Vena circumflexa scapulae

System

Vein

Region

Upper limb

Side

Paired, left and right

About the circumflex scapular vein

The circumflex scapular vein accompanies the circumflex scapular artery, the branch of the subscapular artery that winds around the lateral border of the scapula. It collects blood on the dorsal surface of the shoulder blade and carries it forward into the axilla.

Its tributaries begin in the infraspinous fossa, in and beneath infraspinatus, and in teres major and teres minor, along with branches from the skin and fat over the back of the scapula. These gather near the lateral border of the bone. The vein then passes forwards through the triangular space, a small gap bounded by teres minor above, teres major below and the long head of triceps on its lateral side. Just in front of this gap, on the posterior wall of the axilla, it meets the thoracodorsal vein, and the two unite to form the subscapular vein, which drains into the axillary vein.

On the back of the scapula the small tributaries of this vein connect with those of the suprascapular and dorsal scapular veins. This network follows the arterial anastomosis around the scapula, which can carry blood around a block in the axillary or subclavian vessels.

The circumflex scapular vessels have practical importance in plastic surgery. Their cutaneous branches, which emerge from the triangular space, supply and drain the skin of the scapular and parascapular flaps, and the vein provides the outflow when such a flap is moved to another part of the body. The triangular space is a reliable landmark for finding the pedicle.

Course and drainage

Begins at

Begins in the infraspinous fossa, teres muscles and skin over the back of the scapula.

Drains into

Joins the thoracodorsal vein to form the subscapular vein, on the posterior wall of the axilla.

Drains

Drains infraspinatus, teres major and minor and the skin over the dorsal scapula.