Axilla and brachial plexus

ANATOMY OF AXILLA

  1. Anterior: pectoralis major (med/lat pec n), pectoralis minor
  2. Medial: serratus anterior
  3. Lateral: humerus
  4. Posterior: subscapularis, teres major
  5. Apex: Clavicle, first rib
  6. Base: Axillary fascia from serratus anterior

Contains - axillary artery, axillary vein, brachial plexus, lymph nodes

 

AXILLARY ARTERY

Divided into 3 parts as it passes underneat pectoralis minor (much like the lymph nodes) - Subclavian artery becomes axillary as it passes 1st rib
"Screw the lawyers, save a patient"

  1. 1st part - 1 branch
    • Superior thoracic artery - both pectoral muscles
  2. 2nd part - 2 branches
    • Lateral thoracic artery - pectorals + breast
    • Thoracoacromial artery - clavicle, deltoid, pectorals, acromion
  3. 3rd part - 3 branches
    • Subscapular artery - lat dorsi
    • Anterior circumflex humeral artery
    • Posterior circumflex humeral artery

 

 

 

AXILLARY VEIN

  • Basilic vein + venae comitantes
  • Becomes subclavian vein at outer border of 1st rib
  • No axillary sheath around vein