The suprascapular vein is a vein running above the

scapula The scapula (plural scapulae or scapulas), also known as the shoulder blade, is the bone that connects the humerus (upper arm bone) with the clavicle (collar bone). Like their connected bones, the scapulae are paired, with each scapula on eithe ...

. It drains into the

external jugular vein The external jugular vein receives the greater part of the blood from the exterior of the cranium and the deep parts of the face, being formed by the junction of the posterior division of the retromandibular vein with the posterior auricular vei ...

. It drains the posterior region around the

Structure

The suprascapular vein runs above the scapula. It runs above the anterior coracospinal ligament. It lies close to the

suprascapular artery The suprascapular artery is a branch of the thyrocervical trunk on the neck. Structure At first, it passes downward and laterally across the scalenus anterior and phrenic nerve, being covered by the sternocleidomastoid muscle; it then cross ...

. It drains into the

Variation

The course of the suprascapular vein is not very variable. In nearly 20% of people, there may be 2 suprascapular veins lying next to each other. In a very small minority, there may be three.

Structure

Variation

Function

References

External links