[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Upper limb](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/upper-limb/) › Circumflex humeral arteries [Cardiovascular system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/cardiovascular-system/) · [Upper limb](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/upper-limb/) # Circumflex humeral arteries The circumflex humeral arteries wrap around the neck of the humerus; they feed the humeral head and deltoid, and a fracture here can cut that supply. Official name: Anterior and posterior circumflex humeral arteries [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=upper_limb&select=circumflex_humeral_arteries&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is Two arteries that circle the neck of the humerus. ## What it does Feed the humeral head and the deltoid; a fracture here can cut off the head's blood supply. ## Key points - The posterior artery passes through the quadrangular space with the axillary nerve: [teres minor](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/teres-minor/) above, [teres major](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/teres-major/) below, long head of the triceps medially, surgical neck of the humerus laterally - Both wrap around the surgical neck and join each other, so a displaced fracture there can cut off the humeral head's supply - Classically the anterior artery (through its ascending branch in the bicipital groove) was called the main supply of the humeral head; perfusion studies now give the posterior the larger share (texts differ) ## Key facts **Origin** 3rd part of the axillary artery **Branches** Anterior (to the humeral head via the [arcuate artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/arcuate-artery/)); posterior (with the axillary nerve through the quadrangular space) **Supplies** Humeral head, deltoid, shoulder joint ## Relations **Course** Both arise from the third part of the [axillary artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/axillary-artery/) near the lower border of [subscapularis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/subscapularis/); the anterior runs laterally in front of the surgical neck, deep to [coracobrachialis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/coracobrachialis/) and the biceps short head; the posterior runs backward through the quadrangular space and winds round the neck **Deep** Surgical neck of the [humerus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/humerus/) and the [shoulder capsule](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/shoulder-joint-capsule/) **Superficial** The deltoid, which the posterior artery supplies from behind together with the [axillary nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/axillary-nerve/) ## How to find it Not palpable. The posterior artery is found with the axillary nerve in the quadrangular space, approached from behind below the [rear deltoid](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/deltoid-posterior-part/); the anterior artery and its two veins are met at the lower border of subscapularis in the deltopectoral approach. ## On imaging Not seen on radiographs, but a displaced fracture of the proximal humerus, above all through the anatomical neck, warns that the supply of the humeral head may be cut, with later avascular necrosis seen on MRI. CT angiography looks for arterial injury after fracture-dislocation. On MRI or ultrasound the posterior artery marks the quadrangular space and the axillary nerve. ## Clinical notes - Deltopectoral approach: the anterior circumflex humeral artery and its two veins (the "three sisters") mark the lower border of subscapularis and are tied or coagulated when that tendon is released - Quadrangular space syndrome: fibrous bands or enlarged muscles compress the axillary nerve and posterior circumflex humeral artery in overhead athletes; the artery can also form an aneurysm or clot that sends emboli to the hand - Proximal humerus fractures through the anatomical neck, or with little of the medial calcar left on the head, carry a higher risk of avascular necrosis of the head ## Anatomical variants - The posterior artery may arise from the subscapular artery, from a common trunk with the anterior one or from the [deep brachial artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/deep-brachial-artery/) ## Related conditions - [Proximal humerus fracture](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/proximal-humerus-fracture/) - [Axillary nerve injury](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/axillary-nerve-injury/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Which circumflex humeral artery passes through the quadrangular space, and with which nerve? The posterior circumflex humeral artery, with the axillary nerve. ## Why can a displaced surgical neck fracture threaten the humeral head? Both circumflex humeral arteries wrap around the surgical neck and supply the head; a fracture there can cut off that supply. ## What are the «three sisters» in the deltopectoral approach? The anterior circumflex humeral artery and its two veins, marking the lower border of subscapularis; they are tied or coagulated. [Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/anterior-and-posterior-circumflex-humeral-arteries/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** arteria circumflexa anterior humeri TA2 4630 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Arterias circunflejas anterior y posterior del húmero **English (TA2)** Anterior and posterior circumflex humeral arteries ## Related - [Axillary nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/axillary-nerve/) - [Front deltoid](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/deltoid-anterior-part/) - [Middle deltoid](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/deltoid-middle-part/) - [Rear deltoid](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/deltoid-posterior-part/) - [Teres minor](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/teres-minor/) - [Humerus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/humerus/) - [Shoulder capsule](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/shoulder-joint-capsule/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Anterior Humeral Circumflex Artery](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557892/); [Anatomy, Head and Neck, Posterior Humeral Circumflex Artery](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538283/). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/anterior-and-posterior-circumflex-humeral-arteries/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/anterior-and-posterior-circumflex-humeral-arteries/