axillary artery

The axillary artery represents the continuation of the subclavian artery and is a major artery of the upper limb.

Summary

Gross anatomy

The axillary artery enters the axilla by passing behind the midpoint of the clavicle on the outer edge of the first rib. The axillary artery is divided into three parts by its relation to pectoralis minor muscle:

  • the first part is proximal to pectoralis minor
  • the second part is posterior to pectoralis minor
  • the third part is distal to pectoralis minor

A useful mnemonic to remember its branches can be found here. The axillary vein is anterior to the artery .

First (suprapectoral) part

The first part of the axillary artery has one branch:

Second (retropectoral) part

The second part of the axillary artery has two branches:

  • thoracoacromial artery: runs over pectoralis minor to pierce the clavipectoral fascia and supply the clavicle, deltoid, acromion and pectoralis muscles via its four terminal branches
  • lateral thoracic artery: runs laterally along the lower border of pectoralis minor to supply serratus anterior and both pectoralis muscles, also an important blood supply to the breast in the female
Third (infrapectoral) part

The third part of the axillary artery has three branches:

Relations

The cords of the brachial plexus are closely related to the axillary artery :

  • at the first part of the axillary artery, the lateral and posterior cords lie superolateral, whereas the medial cord lies posteriorly; a loop connecting the medial and lateral pectoral nerves also lies anterior to the axillary artery
  • at the second part of the axillary artery, the posterior, lateral and medial cords embrace the artery as per their names
  • at the third part of the axillary, the cords then branch into their respective peripheral nerves

Variant anatomy

Branches from the axillary artery are highly variable. In one study, variations of the subscapular artery and posterior circumflex humeral artery were noted in ~65% of the cases, and could be grouped into five main categories:

  • high origin of the subscapular artery from the second part of the axillary artery
  • common trunk for subscapular artery and posterior circumflex humeral artery from the second part of the axillary artery
  • common trunk for subscapular artery and posterior circumflex humeral artery from the third part of the axillary artery
  • common trunk for subscapular artery and posterior circumflex humeral artery with the thoracodorsal artery originating directly from the axillary artery
  • common trunk for subscapular artery, posterior circumflex humeral artery and deep brachial artery
  • anomalous high division into radial and ulnar arteries
  • absence of lateral thoracic artery (replaced by lateral perforating branches of the intercostal arteries)
  • alar thoracic artery: supplies the fat, skin and lymph nodes of the axilla

The thoracoacromial artery, though, appeared to originate from the first or second part of the axillary artery in all cases .

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