AXILLA

by Yapa Wijeratne

Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Peradeniya Sri Lanka

Apex

3

1. Outer border of 1st rib

2. Clavicle -the posterior surface

3. Upper border of the scapula

Anterior wall

4

1. Pectoralis major

2. Pectoralis minor

3. Subclavius muscles

4. Clavipectoral fascia

Medial wall

1

1. Upper part of serratus anterior

Lower limit of the axilla = level of 4th rib

Lateral wall

1

1. Intertubercular sulcus of the humerus

Posterior wall 3

1. Subscapularis (associated with the costal surface of the scapula);

2. Latissimus dorsi- the distal part

3. Teres major

Floor

Axillary fascia and a dome of skin that spans the distance between the inferior margins of the walls

Clavipectoral fascia Pierced by 4 structures

2 inwards

1. Lymphatics from the infraclavicular nodes to the apical nodes of the axilla.

2. Cephalic vein

2 outwards

1. Lateral pectoral nerve

2. Thoracoacromial artery,

or its branches1. Pectoral

2. Acromial

3. Deltoid

4. Clavicular

Contents

Contents

1. Axillary artery

2. Axillary vein

3. Brachial plexus

4. Lymphatics of the upper limb

5. Proximal parts of two muscles of the arm1. Biceps brachii

2. Coracobrachialis

6. The axillary process of the breast

7. Collections of lymph nodes

Axillary artery

Branches1st part – 1

2nd part – 2

3rd part - 3

SEND THE LORD TO SAY A PRAYER

Branches of the axillary artery

1 Send - Superior thoracic artery

2 The - Thoraco-acromial artery Lord to - Lateral thoracic artery

3 Say - Subscapular artery A - Anterior circumflex humeral artery Prayer - Posterior circumflex humeral artery

Axillary vein

Lymph nodes

1. An anterior or pectoral group

2. A posterior or subscapular group

3. A lateral group

4. A central group

5. An apical group

Gateways in the posterior wall

The inferior margin of the Subscapularis

The surgical neck of the Humerus

The lateral margin of the long head of the Triceps brachii

The superior margin of the Teres major

Quadrangular space

Passing through the quadrangular space are 1. Axillary nerve2. Posterior circumflex humeral artery and vein.

Triangular space the medial margin of the long head of the triceps brachii muscle; the superior margin of the teres major muscle; the inferior margin of the subscapularis muscle

Passing through the triangular space are

1. circumflex scapular artery and vein

Triangular interval

The shaft of the humerus

The inferior margin of the teres major muscle

The lateral margin of the long head of the Triceps brachii

Passing through the Triangular interval are 1. radial nerve