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Circumflex arterial sulcus of the scapula (sulcus arteriae circumflexae scapulae): its anatomy and clinical relevance

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Abstract

Introduction

The circumflex scapular artery (CSA) has been described in detail in the literature, but the groove, i.e., the circumflex sulcus (CFS), formed by the artery on the lateral pillar of the scapula has been completely neglected. The aim of the present study was to describe the variability and anatomy of the CFS.

Materials and methods

The study was based on the examination of 103 pairs of dry bone specimens of adult scapulae, i.e., 206 specimens, including 92 (46 pairs) male and 114 (57 pairs) female specimens. In the first step, quantitative criteria were defined for assessment of the CFS presence and type. Subsequently, statistical analysis of the obtained data was performed.

Results

The study revealed considerable variability of the arterial groove, which was well developed in 33% (type A), shallow in 40% (type B), and absent in 27% (type C) of cases. The mean distance between CFS and the infraglenoid tubercle was 3.3 cm CI0.95 (3.1–3.3), which corresponds to the proximal third of the lateral border of the scapula.

Conclusion

The study has confirmed variability of the arterial groove (CFS) and its localization in relation to the inferior glenoid rim. The findings are clinically important, particularly in relation to the Judet approach to scapular fractures (localization of the CSA course).

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Availability of data and materials

Data are obtained from institutional collections—Pachner’s collection of the Institute of Anatomy of First Faculty of Medicine of Charles University and Department of Anthropology and Human Genetics of the Faculty of Science of Charles University, Prague.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Prof. Chris Colton MB BS FRCS and Ludmila Bébarová, PhD for their assistance with the editing of the manuscript, and Jan Cvrček, MA, PhD from the Department of Anthropology (National Museum, Prague, Czech Republic) for providing access to the osteological material. “The authors sincerely thank those who donated their bodies to science so that anatomical research could be performed. Results from such research can potentially increase mankind's overall knowledge that can then improve patient care. Therefore, these donors and their families deserve our highest gratitude.”

Funding

This study was supported by internal grant of The Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic DZRVO MO1012.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Anatomy, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic

    Tomáš Strnad, Jan Bartoníček & Ondřej Naňka

  2. Department of Orthopedics, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and the Central Military Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic

    Tomáš Strnad, Jan Bartoníček & Michal Tuček

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  1. Tomáš Strnad
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TS: data collection and analysis, manuscript writing JB: project development, manuscript editing MT: data analysis ON: data analysis, statistical analysis, manuscript editing. All authors reviewed the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Ondřej Naňka.

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Strnad, T., Bartoníček, J., Tuček, M. et al. Circumflex arterial sulcus of the scapula (sulcus arteriae circumflexae scapulae): its anatomy and clinical relevance. Surg Radiol Anat 44, 1111–1119 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-022-02993-w

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