16 - Axilla and Brachial Plexus Flashcards
What do I need to know?
- Axilla boundaries, contents and relative position
- BP
- Functional relationship between anterior and posterior divisions of BP and flexor and extensor aspects of the limb
- Relation of the BP to the brachial artery and vein
What is the axilla?
A space between the upper arm and side of the upper chest. Is a truncated pyramid.
What are the borders of the apex of the axilla?
Medially: Outer border of 1st rib
Anteriorly: Clavicle
Posteriorly: Superior border of scapula
What are the borders of the base of the axilla? I.e. the armpit
Posterior Axillary Fold: latissimus dorsi
Anterior Axillary Fold: Pec Major
Medial Border: Serratus Anterior
Lateral Border: Medial Humerus
What forms the anterior and posterior WALLS of the axilla?
Posterior wall: Subscapularis
Anterior wall: Pectoralis Major and Minor
What are the contents of the axilla?
The CORDS and BRANCHES of the BP, axillary artery and vein, lymph nodes, lymphatics and fat
How many groups of lymph nodes are there in the axilla?
5
- Brachial (drains arm)
- Pectoral (drains most of breast so important in spread of carcinoma)
- Posterior/Subscapular (drains upper trunk posteriorly)
- Central (receives from OTHER lymph node groups)
- Apical (receives from ALL other groups and drains into the thoracic duct or right lymphatic trunk)
How are the limbs innervated?
Via the brachial and lumbosacral plexuses
What is the brachial plexus formed by?
The Ventral Rami of spinal nerves C5-T1
How is the BP divided?
Roots, Trunks, Divisons (A/P), Cords, Terminal Branches (2)
What is the relation between the divisions and flexor/extensor compartments of the upper limb?
There is an anterior and posterior division from each trunk. The anterior divisions will eventually supply the flexor compartments of the upper limb (Lateral cord and medial cord) and the posterior divisions will supply the extensor compartments (posterior cord)
Where do the BP roots arise form?
From between scalenus anterior and scalenus medius
Where do the trunks of the BP lie?
Lower part of the posterior triangle of the neck
Which parts of the BP are supraclavicular and which are infraclavicular?
The roots and trunks are supraclavicular (between scalenus anterior and medius, and lower posterior triangle of the neck), divisions are subclavicular and cords and branches are infraclavicular
Where do the divisions of the BP lie?
Behind the clavicle
Where are the cords of the BP formed?
At the outer border of the 1st rib and enter the apex of the axilla with the axillary artery, vein
How are the BP cords named?
With respect to their spatial position to the axillary artery (medial, lateral and posterior)
Are the terminal branches motor or sensory?
Both. They are mixed.
What are the terminal branches of each cord?
Lateral: Musculocutaneous Nerve and lateral head of Median Nerve
Posterior: Radial Nerve and Axillary Nerve
Medial: Ulnar Nerve and medial head of Median Nerve
What is the difference between a dermatome and a cutaneous nerve distribution?
Dermatome: Area of skin supplied by a particular spinal nerve. A dermatome may be supplied by SEVERAL cutaneous nerves, and the distribution of a cutaneous nerve may not be restricted to a single dermatome. Symptoms relating to a specific dermatome (parasthesia, pain) is serious and may indicate spinal involvement rather than a single cutaneous nerve
How does the BP, Axillary artery and Axillary Vein enter the axilla?
> Enter medially across the 1st rib
The Brachial Plexus and Axillary artery run more posteriorly than the vein, in between the anterior and middle scalene muscles.
The Axillary Vein is the most anterior and passes anterior to the anterior scalene muscle, posterior to the clavicle
Why is the axillary vein more anterior?
Ensures it doesn’t get compressed by the anterior and middle scalene muscles
Anterior Wall of Axilla?
Clavicle, deep fascia of subclavius, costocoracoid ligament, pectoralis minor (and major anteriorly), suspensory ligament of the axilla
Posterior Wall of the Axilla?
Supraspinatus, Subscapularis, Teres MAJOR, Latissimus Dorsi (a bit of scapula)
Lateral Wall of Axilla?
Intertubercular Groove of Anterior Humerus (biceps tendon sits in here and triceps is posterior)
Medial Wall of Axilla?
(only see in transverse section)
Serratus Anterior and Lateral Thoracic Wall
Base of Axilla?
Axillary Fascia (anteriorly the suspensory ligament pulls this up to make the ‘pit’ of the armpit)