Quadrangular space

Quadrangular space
	Suprascapular and axillary nerves of right side, seen from behind. Quadrangular space is the lateral space, labeled in green at center right. Axillary nerve is visible entering it.
	The scapular and circumflex arteries. (Quadrangular space is visible but not labeled. Posterior humeral circumflex artery is visible entering quadrangular space at center right.)
	Anatomical terminology

The quadrangular space (or quadrilateral space [of Velpeau] or foramen humerotricipitale) is one of the three spaces in the axillary space. The other two spaces are: triangular space and triangular interval.^[1]

Boundaries

The quadrangular space is defined by:^[2]

above/superior: teres minor ^[3]
below/inferior: teres major
medially: long head of the triceps brachii (lateral margin)
laterally: surgical neck of the humerus
anteriorly: subscapularis

Clinical significance

Quadrangular space is a clinically important anatomic space in the arm as it provides the anterior regions of the axilla a passageway to the posterior regions. In the quadrangular space, the axillary nerve and posterior circumflex humeral artery can be compressed or damaged due to space-occupying lesions or disruption in the anatomy due to trauma. Symptoms include axillary nerve related weakness of the deltoid muscle in the case of any significant mass lesions in the quadrangular space.

Additional images

Muscles on the dorsum of the scapula, and the Triceps brachii.

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 589 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

^ Krishna, Garg (2010). "7 - Scapula". BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy (Regional and Applied Dissection and Clinical) Volume 1 - Upper limb and thorax (Fifth ed.). India: CBS Publishers and Distributors Pvt Ltd. p. 81. ISBN 978-81-239-1863-1.
^ Anatomy photo:03:04-0101 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "Scapular Region: Quadrangular Space of Scapular Region"
^ Adam Mitchell; Drake, Richard; Gray, Henry David; Wayne Vogl (2005). Gray's anatomy for students. Elsevier/Churchill Livingstone. p. 649. ISBN 0-443-06612-4.

External links

Quadrangular_space at the Duke University Health System's Orthopedics program
Photo at umich.edu
Diagram at wustl.edu
Photo at tufts.edu
Photo at ithaca.edu

[BD_Chaurasia_2010-1] Krishna, Garg (2010). "7 - Scapula". BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy (Regional and Applied Dissection and Clinical) Volume 1 - Upper limb and thorax (Fifth ed.). India: CBS Publishers and Distributors Pvt Ltd. p. 81. ISBN 978-81-239-1863-1.

[2] Anatomy photo:03:04-0101 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "Scapular Region: Quadrangular Space of Scapular Region"

[isbn0-443-06612-4-3] Adam Mitchell; Drake, Richard; Gray, Henry David; Wayne Vogl (2005). Gray's anatomy for students. Elsevier/Churchill Livingstone. p. 649. ISBN 0-443-06612-4.

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