Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41694938›Full record

ArticleCureus2026

Anatomical Study of the Angular Branch of the Thoracodorsal Artery and the Lateral Border of the Scapula With Application to Reconstructive Surgery.

Emma R Lesser, Rarinthorn Samrid, Jacie Pujol, Julia Bishop, Jared Rosbrugh, Kathleen C Bubb, Kazzara T Raeburn, Blair M Barton, Joe Iwanaga, R Shane Tubbs

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Emma R LesserNeurosurgery, Clinical Neuroscience Research Center, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, USA.
Rarinthorn SamridDepartment of Anatomy, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, THA.
Jacie PujolNeurosurgery and Structural and Cellular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, USA.
Julia BishopNeurosurgery and Structural and Cellular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, USA.
Jared RosbrughNeurosurgery and Structural and Cellular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, USA.
Kathleen C BubbAnatomical Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA.
Kazzara T RaeburnAnatomical Sciences, St. George's University, St. George's, GRD.
Blair M BartonOtorhinolaryngology, Ochsner Health, New Orleans, USA.
Joe IwanagaNeurosurgery, Clinical Neuroscience Research Center, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, USA.
R Shane TubbsAnatomical Sciences, St. George's University, St. George's, GRD.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The angular artery is a branch of the thoracodorsal artery, which is the terminal branch of the subscapular artery and is known to supply the inferior angle of the scapula. The lack of detailed anatomical research and clinical outcome studies hinders the ability to fully exploit the use of this artery and the scapula it supplies. Addressing such knowledge gaps through focused anatomical studies and large-scale clinical trials will enhance the understanding and utilization of the angular branch in surgical practice, ultimately improving patient outcomes. Seven sides (five on the left sides and two on the right sides) from six embalmed cadavers were used in this study. The subscapular artery arising from the axillary artery was identified supine with the arm extended. The thoracodorsal artery was dissected under the surgical microscope to ascertain where it supplied the bone. Macroscopic and microscopic observation was conducted. The angular branch had a consistent course traveling inferiorly on the lateral border of the scapula on six sides out of seven. In three specimens, the angular branch was found to have a clear continuation that supplied the inferior border. In one specimen, a branch wrapped around the lateral border of the scapula, traveling toward its medial aspect. The lateral border was thicker than the medial border on all sides. Histological observation of the lateral border demonstrated blood cells within the trabeculae. We confirmed that the angular branch of the thoracodorsal artery supplies the lateral border and inferior angle of the scapula. This fundamental anatomical knowledge will help plan future reconstructive surgeries.

Indexed as

anatomycadaverreconstructive surgeryscapulathoracodorsal artery

Identifiers

PMID41694938
PMCPMC12904755

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.