Posterior Perspective of the Arteries of the Shoulder

Description

Posteriorly, the scapular region and proximal brachium are rendered with an x-ray style transparency, allowing the axillary artery to be followed as it passes inferior to the glenohumeral joint and continues as the brachial artery. The posterior circumflex humeral artery branches from the third part of the axillary artery and courses laterally through the quadrangular space, wrapping around the surgical neck of the humerus deep to the deltoid. Medial to it, the subscapular artery tracks along the inferior border of subscapularis, giving rise to the circumflex scapular artery that curves around the lateral border of the scapula into the infraspinous fossa. Venous counterparts are included in blue, returning toward the axillary vein. Posterior vascular anatomy at the shoulder is easiest to misread when you only think in anterior terms. This view clarifies why fractures at the surgical neck and posterior shoulder dislocations can jeopardize the posterior circumflex humeral artery and its accompanying axillary nerve as they traverse the quadrangular space, a pattern that explains deltoid weakness and patchy hemorrhage deep to the muscle. It also supports teaching of scapular collateral pathways, where circumflex scapular and dorsal scapular contributions can maintain perfusion when proximal axillary flow is compromised. Orthopedic and trauma teams can pair this artwork with operative notes for deltopectoral or posterior approaches to the shoulder to orient learners to the vessels at risk during retraction and during arthroplasty exposure. It also fits upper-limb anatomy teaching blocks, radiology-pathology correlation pieces, and vascular surgery content on collateral circulation around the scapula. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.