[The anatomical study of the ascending cutaneous branch of the circumflex scapular artery].
The circumflex scapular artery was investigated in 20 cadavers (40 sides) with radiography. We found that the presence rates of the ascending, transverse and descending cutaneous branches of the circumflex scapular artery were all 100%. The ascending cutaneous branch could be divided into 3 types: the first type came from the circumflex scapular artery in 4 cadavers (4 sides) with 10% rate of presence; the second type came from the cutaneous branch of the circumflex scapular artery in 20 cadavers (36 sides) with 90% rate of presence; the third type consisted of two branches in 10 cadavers (12 sides) with 30% rate of presence. It was also found that the ascending branch ran in an upward direction to the acromial area or over the scapular spine where it communicated with the suprascapular artery, the transverse artery of neck and the thoracicoacromial artery. Based on the results, a scapular flap can be designed over the scapular artery.
Yang
M
M
Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, BaDaChu, Beijing.
Li
S
S
Li
S
S
D001158:Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012540:Scapula / Q000098:blood supply*; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply*; D013524:Surgical Flaps