Posterior humeral circumflex vessels

Posterior Humeral Circumflex Vessels

The posterior humeral circumflex vessels are a group of blood vessels that play a crucial role in supplying blood to the shoulder region, particularly the deltoid muscle and the shoulder joint. These vessels include the posterior humeral circumflex artery and its accompanying veins.

Anatomy

Posterior Humeral Circumflex Artery

The posterior humeral circumflex artery is a branch of the axillary artery. It typically arises from the third part of the axillary artery and travels posteriorly around the surgical neck of the humerus. This artery is one of the two circumflex humeral arteries, the other being the anterior humeral circumflex artery.

The posterior humeral circumflex artery passes through the quadrangular space, an anatomical space bordered by the teres minor, teres major, long head of the triceps brachii, and the surgical neck of the humerus. This artery is accompanied by the axillary nerve, which innervates the deltoid and teres minor muscles.

Posterior Humeral Circumflex Veins

The posterior humeral circumflex veins are the venous counterparts of the artery. They accompany the artery and drain into the axillary vein. These veins help return deoxygenated blood from the shoulder region back to the heart.

Function

The primary function of the posterior humeral circumflex vessels is to supply blood to the shoulder joint and the surrounding muscles, particularly the deltoid muscle. The deltoid is a major muscle responsible for the abduction, flexion, and extension of the arm at the shoulder joint.

Clinical Significance

Injuries to the shoulder, such as fractures of the surgical neck of the humerus, can potentially damage the posterior humeral circumflex vessels. Such injuries may lead to compromised blood supply to the shoulder region, resulting in muscle ischemia or necrosis if not promptly addressed.

The proximity of the posterior humeral circumflex artery to the axillary nerve also means that injuries in this area can affect both the vascular and nervous supply to the shoulder, leading to both motor and sensory deficits.

Also see

• Axillary artery
• Axillary nerve
• Quadrangular space
• Deltoid muscle
• Shoulder joint