Suprascapular vein

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The suprascapular vein drains the posterior structures of the scapula including the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles.

Gross anatomy

Course

Running adjacent to the suprascapular nerve and artery it passes through the suprascapular notch in a number of configurations:

  • above the transverse scapular ligament (~80%)
  • below the transverse scapular ligament (~20%)

The vein then runs anteromedially, inferior to the inferior belly of omohyoid, to drain into the external jugular vein.