Definition

1. Noun:
   • A vein that is a tributary of the subclavian vein or external jugular vein and accompanies the descending scapular artery: The dorsal scapular vein is a blood vessel that drains deoxygenated blood from the muscles and skin of the upper back region near the shoulder blade (scapula). It runs alongside the descending scapular artery and empties into either the subclavian vein or the external jugular vein.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • During the dissection, the medical students carefully identified the dorsal scapular vein.
  • The surgeon took care to avoid the dorsal scapular vein while performing the procedure near the shoulder.

Advanced Usage

• In anatomical description: The term is used in precise anatomical, surgical, or medical contexts to describe vascular structures.
  • The course of the dorsal scapular vein is variable, sometimes joining the external jugular vein.

Variants and Related Words

• Descending scapular artery: The artery that the dorsal scapular vein typically accompanies.
• Subclavian vein: A major vein into which the dorsal scapular vein may drain.
• External jugular vein: Another major vein that may receive blood from the dorsal scapular vein.

Synonyms

• Vena scapularis dorsalis: The Latin or formal anatomical synonym for the dorsal scapular vein.

Related Phrases

• Tributary of the subclavian: A phrase describing the dorsal scapular vein's function as a feeder vein to the larger subclavian vein.

Noun

1. vein that is a tributary of the subclavian vein or external jugular vein and accompanies the descending scapular artery