Posterior Perspective of the Arteries in the Shoulder

Description

Posteriorly, the axillary artery is seen continuing from the subclavian artery at the lateral border of the first rib, then descending inferior to the clavicle toward the axilla while giving off branches that wrap around the surgical neck of the humerus and the glenohumeral joint capsule. Curving medially across the dorsal surface of the scapula, the suprascapular artery courses toward the supraspinous fossa and around the scapular notch region, while the circumflex scapular artery emerges through the triangular space to supply the infraspinous fossa. Around the humeral head, the anterior and posterior circumflex humeral arteries form an anastomotic ring, deep to the deltoid and adjacent to the quadrangular space where the axillary nerve travels. Blue companion veins track these arteries back toward the axillary vein. This posterior perspective matters because the scapular anastomosis is one of the clearest examples of collateral arterial routing in the upper limb, maintaining perfusion distal to proximal axillary artery compromise. It is also a surgical map: posterior approaches to the shoulder and open reduction and internal fixation of proximal humerus fractures place the posterior circumflex humeral artery at risk, and its injury can contribute to bleeding or jeopardize head perfusion when combined with damage to the anterior circumflex system. Small spaces. Big consequences. Use this artwork to teach upper limb vascular anatomy in gross anatomy and surgical anatomy courses, or to support textbook chapters on the axillary artery, scapular collateral circulation, and approaches through the quadrangular and triangular spaces. It also fits well in orthopedic and sports medicine materials explaining vascular considerations in shoulder dislocation, fracture, and posterior shoulder surgery. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.