Axillary artery

Dr Lakshmi T.A.

(Credits to Dr. Rashmi Bhat)

Dept of anatomy
SJMC

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Learning Objectives
By the end of this class the student should
know about Axillary artery :
Origin
Termination
Course
Relations
Branches
Applied anatomy

Page 2

Axilla
Pyramidal space,between uppr
part of arm & chest wall
Apex,Base &4 walls
anterior; posterior;
medial & lateral

Page 3

Axilla -boundaries

Page 4

Contents of axilla
Axillary artery &its branches
Axillary vein &its tributaries
Infraclavicular part of
brachial plexus
Long thoracic &intercostobrachial nerves
Axillary group of lymph
nodes
Axillary fat & areolar tissue

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Axillary artery-Extent

Outer border of 1st rib to Lower border of Teres major muscle

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Extent & direction

Direction
varies with
the position
of the arm

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Parts

floridabodyworkforum.com

1st part-superior (proximal) to muscle

2nd part-posterior (deep) to muscle
3rd part-inferior(distal) muscle
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Relations

First part of axillary artery is enclosed with brachial

plexus in axillary sheath

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first part
Anteriorly :
Skin ,superficial fascia,platysma,supraclavicular nerves,deep
fascia,clavicular part of pectoralis major,clavipectoral fascia
with cephalic vein,lateral pectoral nerve,thoracoacromial
vessels,communication loop of medial and lateral pectoral
nerves
Posteriorly :
1st intercostal space with external intercoctal muscle,1st&2nd
digitations of serratus anterior with its nerve,medial cord of
brachial plexus with medial pectoral nerve
Laterally:
lateral &posterior cords of brachial plexus
Medially: axillary vein.
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frca.co.uk/article.aspx?articleid=1003
59.

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Second part
Anteriorly :
Skin ,superficial fascia,deep fascia,pectoralis
major,pectoralis minor
Posteriorly :
Posterior cord of brachial plexus,coracobrachialis muscle
Laterally:
lateral cord of brachial plexus
Medially:
axillary vein,medial cord of brachial plexus,medial pectoral
nerve
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Third part
Anteriorly :
Skin ,superficial fascia,deep fascia,pectoralis major,medial
root of medial nerve
Posteriorly :
Radial nerve; Upper part-axillary nerve,subscapularis muscle
Lower part-tendons of latissimus dorsi and teres major
muscles
Laterally:
Coracobrachialis,musculocutaneous nerve&lat root of
median nerve in upper part,trunk of median nerve in lower
part
Medially: axillary vein,medial cutaneous N of arm and fore
arm and ulnar artery
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Branches

science-naturalphenomena.blogspot.com

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Axillary
Artery:

Subclavian A.

Part 1 (proximal)
one branch

Brachial A.

Part 2
(intermediate) two
branches.

Part 3 (distal) three

branches.

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Axillary
Artery:
First
Part

Named Branch:
Highest Thoracic
A. (to external
thoracic body wall)
Supplies blood to
first and second
intercostal spaces

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Axillary
Artery:
Second
part

Thoracoacromial trunk
Branches to:
Clavicular area
Pectoralis region
Acromion of Scapula
Deltoid Muscle.

Lateral Thoracic Artery

br. to Serratus Ant. M.

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Axillary
Artery:
third
part
Posterior circumflex
humoral A.

Subscapular A.:
Branches:
1. Circumflex scapular

Anterior circumflex
humoral A.

A. (to multiple
muscles associated
with the scapula)
2. Thoracodorsal A.

(to Latissimus
dorsi M.)

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Surface marking

Hold the arm at right angles to the trunk with palm facing
upwards
Mark a straight line joining the following points
1st point-mid point of the clavicle
2nd point-junction of anterior 1/3rd and posterior2/3rd of lateral
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wall of axilla at its lower limit

Applied anatomy
Axillary artery palpation
Axillary arch
Axillary vein thrombosis-Compression of 1st part by
subclavius
Axillary abscess-cold abscess & its drainage
Laceration of the artery by violent movements
Rupture during reduction of old dislocation of shoulder

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Summary
Axillary artery
Course
Relations
Branches
Applied anatomy

Page 21

University Questions
Long essay.(10 marks)
Describe the axillary artery under the following headings:
a)Origin & termination b)Relations c)Branches d)Applied
anatomy
Short essay.(5 marks)
Axillary artery,
Third part of axillary artery
Short answers.(3 marks)
Enumerate the branches of axillary artery
Name the branches of 2nd part of axillary artery
Name the branches of 3rd part of axillay artery
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References

Essentials of human anatomy-A.K.Datta;3rd edition;part-3

Human anatomy-B.D.Chaurasia;4th edition;vol1.
Text book of anatomy-Inderbir Singh;5th edition;vol1
Grays anatomy:The anatomical basis of clinical practiceSusan Strandring;40th edition

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