posterior humeral circumflex artery

The posterior humeral circumflex artery is a vessel arising from the axillary artery at the proximal part of the arm.

Summary

• origin: branch of the axillary artery at the proximal part of the arm
• location: proximal arm
• supply: glenohumeral joint, teres major and minor, and deltoid 
• main branches: anterior humeral circumflex artery and ascending branch of the deep artery of the arm via the posterior branch (anastamoses) 
• terminal branches: anastamoses with the anterior humeral circumflex artery and the ascending branch of the deep artery of the arm (profunda brachii artery) 

Gross anatomy

Origin

The posterior circumflex humeral artery arises medially from the axillary artery at the proximal part of the arm. It arises specifically from the third part of the axillary artery. It then immediately travels posteriorly and circles the surgical neck of the humerus via the quadrangular space .

Termination

The posterior circumflex humeral artery gives rise to a posterior branch which travels distally to anastamose with the ascending branch of the deep artery of the arm (profunda brachii artery). The main branch anastamoses with the anterior circumflex humeral artery .

Supply

The posterior circumflex humeral artery provides part of the blood supply to the glenohumeral joint, teres major and minor, and deltoid muscles .

Siehe auch:

• Arteria axillaris