Dorsal scapular artery
Encyclopedia
The dorsal scapular artery (or descending scapular artery) is a blood vessel which supplies the
levator scapulae, rhomboids
, and trapezius.
(the second or third part), but a quarter of the time it arises from the transverse cervical artery
. In that case, the artery is also known as the deep branch of the transverse cervical artery, and the junction of those two is called cervicodorsal trunk.
, and then descends under the rhomboid muscles along the vertebral border of the scapula as far as the inferior angle.
levator scapulae, rhomboids
Rhomboids
Rhomboids can refer to:* Rhomboid muscles** Rhomboid major muscle** Rhomboid minor muscle...
, and trapezius.
Origin
It most frequently arises from the subclavian arterySubclavian artery
In human anatomy, the subclavian arteries are two major arteries of the upper thorax , below the clavicle . They receive blood from the top of the aorta...
(the second or third part), but a quarter of the time it arises from the transverse cervical artery
Transverse cervical artery
The transverse cervical artery is a branch of the thyrocervical trunk, running at a higher level than the suprascapular artery.-Path:...
. In that case, the artery is also known as the deep branch of the transverse cervical artery, and the junction of those two is called cervicodorsal trunk.
Path
It passes beneath the levator scapulae to the superior angle of the scapulaScapula
In anatomy, the scapula , omo, or shoulder blade, is the bone that connects the humerus with the clavicle ....
, and then descends under the rhomboid muscles along the vertebral border of the scapula as far as the inferior angle.