Bilateral Variations in the Origin and Branches of the Subscapular Artery

Abstract

INTRODUCTION The normal gross anatomy of the axillary artery is well described in all anatomy textbooks for medical students. The axillary artery is divided into three parts according to the pectoralis minor muscle. The first part of the axillary artery has one branch, the superior thoracic artery, and the second part of the axillary artery has two branches: the thoracoa- cromial and lateral thoracic arteries. The third part of the axillary artery has three branches: the subscapu- lar, anterior circumflex humeral, and posterior cir- cumflex humeral arteries. Variations in the origin, branching, and course of the axillary artery have been frequently reported (Hitzrot, 1901; Huelke, 1959). Hitzrot studied the variation in the branches of each part of the axillary artery and specified seven types of the axillary ar- tery. Huelke also compared his data with the previ- ous studies and reported the variation in the origin of the branches of the axillary artery. This article describes a previously unreported pattern of the sub- scapular artery, which was observed in both upper extremities of one cadaver.