Subscapular artery

The subscapular artery (lat. a. subscapularis) is a large artery of the upper limb, extending from the axillary artery.

The subscapular artery passes through the axilla and divides into two branches - the superior and inferior subscapular arteries. The superior subscapular artery approaches the medial edge of the scapula and anastomoses with the suprascapular artery. The inferior subscapular artery curves around the outer edge of the scapula and anastomoses with the circumflex scapular artery.

The subscapular artery supplies blood to the muscles located on the posterior surface of the shoulder girdle - the subscapularis, teres minor, teres major and latissimus dorsi muscles.