The dorsal scapular artery — a proposed term for the artery to the rhomboid muscles

The terminology of the arterial supply to the rhomboid and trapezius muscles is quite confusing in that each artery has been given two different names; names which are related to the variations in the origin of these vessels. According to the recent Paris Revision of the terminology ('55) one of these is the transverse cer-vical artery, of the thyrocervical trunk, which gives rise to a superficial and a deep branch to the trapezius and rhomboid muscles respectively. When these branches arise separately, the trapezial branch is called the " superficial cervical artery " and that to the rhomboids, the " descending scapular artery. " Thus, each vessel has two different names. Generally, an artery is named by the area of supply, irrespective of its origin or variations. Within the last 4 years, two articles have been presented in the American Literature (Daseler and Anson, '59; Huelke, '58) which indicate that the artery to the rhomboid muscles arises more frequently as an independent branch of the subcla-vian artery than as a branch of the transverse cervical artery of the thyrocervical trunk. In most American and British texts such a separate origin is considered the variation, whereas it is described as typical in the German literature. French authors usually refer to the latter vessel as the posterior scapular artery. Based on the fact that the two arteries more often have separate origins, and following two of the principles adopted by the International Anatomical Nomenclature Committee (Paris, '55), a modification of the terminology was suggested (Huelke, '58, '59). The modification is as follows: (1) The term transverse cervical artery be applied to that vessel which supplies the trapezius muscle (it has an origin from the thyrocervical trunk in 77.5% of sides). (2) That the artery which supplies the rhomboid muscles take the name of the nerve along with which it passes, and be designated the dorsal scapular artery. This artery arises from the second or third part of the subclavian artery, separate from the transverse cervical artery, in approximately 70% of the sides. Thus, only one term is used for each artery. If this modification in terminology is to be accepted internationally, there must be an agreement among anatomists as to its " usual " site of origin. Only by comparing data on the origins of these arteries from various countries can this end be achieved. Therefore, it is the purpose of this …