title: Anomalous origin and course of the suprascapular artery combined with absence of the suprascapular vein: case study and clinical implications.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Variations concerning the origin and course of the suprascapular artery are numerous and present important clinical implications.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In the present study the origin and course of the suprascapular artery are investigated in a sample of Greek (Caucasian) origin.
  
  
  METHODS
  The anatomy and course of the suprascapular artery were carefully examined in 31 adult human cadavers (16 male and 15 female).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Anomalous origin of the suprascapular artery from the third segment of the subclavian artery was observed in the right side of only one female Caucasian specimen (1/62 = 1.6%). The suprascapular artery and the suprascapular nerve passed together under the superior transverse scapular ligament through the suprascapular notch, whereas the suprascapular vein was absent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to the available literature, this type of variation in the origin of the suprascapular artery is considered rare. This variation is clinically important, since it is related to the creation mechanism of suprascapular neuropathy and has also obvious surgical implications. The variation is embryologically enlightened and has an interesting ontogenic aspect.
authors: Department of Anatomy, Medical School, University of Athens, 116 27 Athens, Greece.
authors: Panagiotis
authors: P
authors: Pyrgakis
authors: Eleni
authors: E
authors: Panagouli
authors: Dionysios
authors: D
authors: Venieratos
keywords: Shoulder pain; Subclavian artery; Superior transverse scapular ligament; Suprascapular nerve; Suprascapular notch
references: Anat Anz. 1989;168(2):155-68
references: 2712327
references: J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1998 May;80(3):476-84
references: 9619941
references: Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1968 May-Jun;58:29-42
references: 5666865
references: J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1998 Nov;80(11):1622-5
references: 9840630
references: Surg Radiol Anat. 2010 Mar;32(3):277-84
references: 20309668
references: Okajimas Folia Anat Jpn. 1991 Aug;68(2-3):171-85
references: 1758682
references: Med Sci Monit. 2003 Mar;9(3):BR116-9
references: 12640333
references: Clin Anat. 2007 Mar;20(2):135-9
references: 16838269
references: Anat Anz. 1979;145(1):83-6
references: 434481
references: Surg Radiol Anat. 2008 Feb;30(1):23-8
references: 18038111
references: Surg Radiol Anat. 2011 Nov;33(9):781-7
references: 21590338
references: J Am Med Assoc. 1960 Mar 5;172:1006-11
references: 14426324
references: Folia Morphol (Warsz). 2010 Nov;69(4):241-5
references: 21120811
references: J Neurosurg. 1996 Dec;85(6):1020-5
references: 8929490
references: J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2009 May-Jun;18(3):e1-3
references: 19046638
references: Clin Anat. 2012 Apr;25(3):359-65
references: 21853468