Coexistence of a rare case of a suprascapular artery with other vascular abnormalities: case report and potential surgical relevance

Purpose The suprascapular artery originates in the thyrocervical trunk; however, several variations regarding both the origin and the path have already been described. This article aims to describe a complex and rare variation of the suprascapular artery originating as a branch of the subscapular artery. We described, reviewed the literature, and highlighted the clinical relevance of such variations to the medical practice. Methods A routine dissection was performed on a male adult cadaver approximately 60–70 years old, embalmed in formalin 10%. In addition, the diameter of the axillary, subscapular and suprascapular arteries was measured. Results During the dissection, we identified the suprascapular artery emerging from the medial side of the subscapular artery with a long and tortuous pathway to the supraspinatus fossa, under the superior transverse scapular ligament. Associated with this, three other anatomical variations stand out: the posterior circumflex humeral artery emerging from the subscapular artery, the absence of the anterior circumflex humeral artery, and two pectoral branches emerging from the third part of the axillary artery and from the subscapular artery, respectively. Conclusion Such variations are of great clinical relevance to orthopedists, mastologists, vascular surgeons and other specialties for both surgical approaches and suprascapular neuropathy.