ANATOMY | Axilla | October 18, 2014

- Extends 6 in. from outer border of 1 st rib up to lower

border of teres major
AXILLA
- Divided into 3 segments by pectoralis minor
-anatomic pyramid situated between the medial border of
1. 1st part
upper arm and lateral upper border of the thorax
-proximal to pectoralis minor
-1branch: superior thoracic artery
4 Surfaces
2. 2nd part
1. Anterior/Pectoral
-underneath pectoralis minor
a. Pectoralis major and fascia
-shortest
- nerve supply (NS) : medial and lateral pectoral nerve
-2 branches
b. Pectoralis minor
a. Thoraco-acromial
- NS : medial pectoral nerve
- penetrates through clavipectoral fascia
c. Subclavius
--> important fascia that separates pectoralis
- NS : nerve to subclavius
major from pectoralis minor and envelopes
the axillary vessels
2. Posterior/Scapular wall
Acromial
a. Scapula
Pectoral
b. Subscapularis
Deltoid
- NS : upper and lower subscapular nerve
Clavicular
c. Latissimus dorsi
b. Lateral Thoracic
- NS : thoracodorsal nerve
- supplies the lateral aspect mammary
d. Teres major
gland
- NS : lower scapular nerve
3. 3rd part
3. Lateral/Humeral border
-distal to pectoralis minor
a. Humerus
-3 branches
b. Long head of biceps brachii
a. Subscapular
c. Short head of biceps brachii
-largest branch
d. Corachobrachialis
Thoracodorsal
- goes along with thoracodorsal nerve
4. Medial/Costal
which supplies the lattisimus dorsi
a. Upper 2nd -6th rib
muscle
b. Serratus anterior
- nerve root origin of
- NS : long thoracic nerve
thoracodorsal nerve --> posterior cord
Circumflex scapular
Apex
- goes through the triangular space
- directed towards the root of the neck
triangular, blunt
a. Upper border of scapula
b. Clavicle
b. Anterior circumflex humeral
c. 1st rib
- found in the anterior part of the
Base
surgical head of the humerus
a. Skin and subcutaneous
b. Axillary fasciae
c. Posterior humeral circumflex
- goes along with the axillary nerve to
Circulation
the quadrangular space
Axillary vein
-1st to be seen when axillary sheath is opened
Lymphatics
-lies over axillary artery
- 3 levels in reference to pectoralis minor
a. Level 1
- lymph nodes lying inferior or at the lower border of
-extends from lower border of the teres major up to the outer
pectoralis minor
border of 1st rib then becomes subclavian vein
- Includes subscapular group of lymph nodes and
lymph nodes lying along the axillary vein
Originated from:
- Largest group of lymph nodes --> drains the teres,
a. vena comites
lateral thoracic wall and upper extremities
b. basilic vein
* interpectoral lymph nodes - lymph nodes lying along
pectoralis major and minor muscles --> Rotter's nodes
Axillary artery
b. Level 2
- after the 1st rib
- lying along or beneath the pectoralis minor

ANATOMY | Axilla | October 18, 2014

- Includes subclavian vein lymph nodes
c. Level 3
- lying superior to pectoralis major muscle
- Includes subclavicular lymph nodes
Nerves associated with axilla
a. long thoracic nerve
b. Thoracodorsal nerve
c. Anterior thoracic nerves --> medial and lateral
pectoral nerves

Notetakers:
S.A. de Leon
M.J. Mendoza
R. Palma