Anatomy Dissection Notes: Upper Limb Flashcards
Define “the axilla”
The pyramidal space inferior to the shoulder joint and just superior to the hollow that the patient will refer to the “armpit”
What are the muscles which form the anterior and posterior borders of the axilla?
Anterior: Pectoralis Major
Posterior: Teres Major muscle
Name the major vessels and nerves passing through the axilla
Axillary artery, Axillary vein and components of the brachial plexus
What is the function of Pectoralis major?
-Climbing muscle (like latissimus dorsi) and an accessory muscle of inspiration
What vein is the axillary vein a continuation of?
The brachial vein
At what point does the brachial vein become the axillary vein?
The lower border of of trees major muscle
Where does the subclavian artery become the axillary artery?
At the lateral border of the first rib
What muscle does the musculocutaneous nerve supply?
Coracobrachialis muscle, biceps brachii and brachialis muscles
Where do the axillary and radial nerve pass into?
The posterior compartment of the arm
What is the course of the axillary nerve?
Lies superior to radial nerve and wraps around the posterior aspect of the surgical neck of the humerus
Why is the axillary nerve vulnerable to injury?
It wraps around the posterior aspect of the surgical neck of the humerus where it is vulnerable to shoulder dislocation or fractured neck of humerus
What is the course of the radial nerve?
Wraps around the posterior aspect of the mid shaft of the humerus, where it may be injured by a mid-shaft humeral fracture
What is the course of the ulnar nerve?
Most medially, passes posteriorly into the medial aspect of the arm
