Anatomical relationship between arteries and veins in the scapular region

Veins in the scapular region were investigated in five fresh cadavers, in which radiopaque materials were injected into both the arterial and the venous systems, to determine their locational relationship to the arteries. This radiographic technique is very useful for comparing veins and arteries. Many veins not accompanying arteries were observed, and veins in the skin and subcutaneous tissue were considered to consist of venae comitantes and non-venae-comitantes. The non-venae-comitantes formed a mainly polygonal venous network in the skin layer, and large communicating veins connected the venous network to the scapular or parascapular veins. These veins played a role in the drainage of venous blood that had perfused the dermis and, in this sense, they should be named cutaneous veins.