Abdomen, Pelvis, and Perineun

Shoulder

Clinical Anatomy

See the source image

Shoulder

Three important spaces of the shoulder that are bordered by the triceps include

quadrangular space
triangular space
t

Clinical Correlate

A young man is brought to the emergency department after being mugged. He was stabbed in the shoulder after refusing to give his wallet to his assailant. If the stab wound lacerates the posterior humeral circumflex artery passing through the quadrangular space on the shoulder region, which of the following nerves might be injured?

A. Radial nerve
B. Axillary nerve
C. Thoracodorsal nerve
D. Suprascapular nerve
E. Accessory nerve

The answer is B (Chapter 7, Muscles of the Upper Limb: II.B). The axillary nerve runs posteriorly to the humerus, accompanying the posterior humeral circumflex artery through the quadrangular space and innervating the teres minor and deltoid muscles. None of the other nerves pass through the quadrangular space.