Posterior Circumflex Humeral Vein, Posterior View

Description

Arising from the posterior shoulder, the posterior circumflex humeral vein curves laterally around the surgical neck of the humerus and passes through the quadrangular space to reach the axillary vein. Posteriorly, it lies deep to the deltoid and adjacent to the posterior circumflex humeral artery, with the scapular spine and posterior surface of the scapula providing bony reference points superior and medial to the vessel. The proximal humerus forms the lateral boundary of the field, while the upper ribs and posterior thoracic wall sit inferior and medial as background landmarks. Orientation around the quadrangular space matters because the posterior circumflex humeral vein tracks the same corridor as the axillary nerve, between teres minor superiorly and teres major inferiorly, with the long head of triceps medially and the humerus laterally. Small changes in this region have consequences. Posterior shoulder dislocation, surgical neck fractures, or iatrogenic injury during posterior deltoid splitting approaches can compromise the accompanying neurovascular bundle, and venous bleeding can obscure the artery and nerve when exploring the space. Use this plate when you need a clean posterior map of axillary drainage patterns at the shoulder, including the relationship of circumflex humeral vessels to the scapula and proximal humerus. It fits upper limb anatomy teaching, orthopaedic and sports medicine texts discussing posterior shoulder trauma, and surgical education on posterior approaches to the glenohumeral joint or quadrangular space exploration. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.