Upper limb
Suprascapular artery
Arteria suprascapularis
- Origin
- Branch of the thyrocervical trunk from the subclavian artery
- Insertion
- Passes over the superior transverse scapular ligament into the supraspinous and infraspinous fossae
- Function
- Supplies supraspinatus, infraspinatus, clavicle, and the glenohumeral and acromioclavicular joints
- Innervation
- Sympathetic perivascular nerves
- Movement & chain
- Enters the dorsal scapular fossa crossing above the suprascapular notch
- Palpation
- Not palpable through trapezius and supraspinatus
- Clinical
- Key anatomical mnemonic: 'Army (artery) goes over the bridge, Navy (nerve) goes under' at the suprascapular notch
- Segmental innervation
- C5–C6 roots
- In clinical practice
- Important landmark during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and suprascapular nerve decompression
- Region in the model
- Upper limb