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Dorsal scapular vein

The dorsal scapular vein is a venous companion to the dorsal scapular artery, draining the rhomboid muscles, levator scapulae, and adjacent scapular region. It courses parallel to the dorsal scapular artery along the medial border of the scapula and empties into the subclavian vein, either directly or via the external jugular vein.

This vein serves as an important part of the scapular venous network, which includes extensive anastomoses with the transverse cervical and suprascapular veins. These connections contribute to collateral venous circulation in the neck and shoulder region.

Clinically, the dorsal scapular vein is relevant in neck dissections, vascular surgeries, and catheterization procedures, as well as in differentiating normal vascular structures from lymphadenopathy or soft tissue masses on imaging.

Synonyms

  • Vena scapularis dorsalis

  • Posterior scapular vein

Function

  • Drains venous blood from the rhomboid muscles, levator scapulae, and medial scapular region

  • Empties into the subclavian vein, occasionally through the external jugular vein

  • Contributes to scapular venous anastomotic network

  • Provides collateral drainage pathway in venous obstruction of the neck/upper limb

Tributaries

  • Muscular tributaries from the rhomboids and levator scapulae

  • Venous anastomoses with transverse cervical and suprascapular veins

MRI Appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Appears as a signal void (black lumen) adjacent to the dorsal scapular artery along medial scapular border

  • Enhanced identification due to hyperintense surrounding fat

T2-weighted images:

  • Vein lumen shows flow void; slow flow may cause intermediate signal intensity

  • Perivascular edema or inflammation appears hyperintense

STIR:

  • Suppresses fat, highlighting the dorsal scapular vein against surrounding tissue

  • Useful for assessing venous congestion, inflammation, or pathology

T1 Post-Gadolinium (Gd-enhanced MRI):

  • Enhances brightly and homogeneously, tracing venous course to the subclavian vein

  • Filling defects suggest thrombosis, stenosis, or extrinsic compression

MRA (MR Venography):

  • Provides 3D visualization of the venous network of the scapular region

  • Demonstrates connections to the subclavian and external jugular veins

CT Appearance

Non-contrast CT:

  • Generally not well seen due to small caliber

  • May be faintly visible as tubular soft-tissue density near medial scapular border

CT Post-Contrast (CT Venography):

  • Clearly shows the course, caliber, and drainage of the dorsal scapular vein

  • Multiplanar reconstructions delineate connections to the subclavian or external jugular veins

  • Important for distinguishing vascular structures from masses, lymph nodes, or vascular malformations

CT Image

Dorsal scapular vein CT axial image -img-00000-00000

CT image

Dorsal scapular vein ct axial

MRI image

Dorsal scapular vein axial cross sectional anatomy 3T MRI AI enhanced radiology image-img-00000-00000

MRI image

Dorsal scapular vein axial cross sectional anatomy 3T MRI AI enhanced radiology image-img-00000-00000_00001