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Dorsal scapular artery

The dorsal scapular artery is a variable artery that most commonly arises directly from the subclavian artery (third part), but in some individuals originates from the transverse cervical artery. It courses posteriorly, passing between the trunks of the brachial plexus, and descends along the medial border of the scapula with the dorsal scapular nerve. It supplies the levator scapulae, rhomboid major, rhomboid minor, and trapezius muscles, and participates in the scapular anastomosis with the suprascapular and circumflex scapular arteries.

Synonyms

  • Arteria dorsalis scapulae

  • Deep branch of the transverse cervical artery (in variation)

  • Descending scapular artery

Function

  • Provides arterial supply to the levator scapulae, rhomboids, and trapezius

  • Contributes to the scapular anastomosis, ensuring collateral circulation around the scapula

  • Supports upper back and scapular musculature perfusion

  • Plays a role in maintaining blood flow during subclavian or axillary arterial compromise

MRI Appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Artery lumen appears as a flow void (black, signal loss) due to fast blood flow

  • Surrounding musculature (rhomboids, trapezius, levator scapulae) is intermediate signal

  • Useful for anatomical localization within the muscular plane

T2-weighted images:

  • Lumen remains a signal void

  • Pathological changes (aneurysm, thrombosis) may appear as altered intraluminal signal

  • High-resolution imaging shows the artery’s relation to brachial plexus and scapular muscles

STIR (Short Tau Inversion Recovery):

  • Suppresses surrounding fat signal, highlighting vascular or perivascular abnormalities

  • Vessel itself remains signal void in normal flow

  • Inflammation or edema adjacent to the artery (e.g., in vasculitis) may appear hyperintense

T1 Post-Contrast (Gadolinium-enhanced):

  • Vessel lumen shows intense homogeneous enhancement

  • Defines the course, caliber, and branches of the artery

  • Useful for evaluating stenosis, occlusion, aneurysm, or vascular malformations

CT Appearance

Non-contrast CT:

  • Artery not well visualized except as a small soft tissue density in muscular planes

  • Calcifications (rare) may appear as hyperdense foci along the artery

CT Angiography (CTA):

  • Clearly delineates the origin, course, and muscular branches of the dorsal scapular artery

  • Shows contribution to the scapular anastomosis

  • Useful for detecting stenosis, trauma-related injury, or aneurysm

  • Provides multiplanar and 3D reconstructions for surgical or interventional planning

CT images

Dorsal scapular artery anatomy CT axial image -img-00000-00000

MRI images

Dorsal scapular artery anatomy MRI coronal image -img-00000-00000