AXILLA

Question 1

what is the axilla?

Answer 1

true region that nerves and blood vessels pass through to reach the upper limb

Question 2

what is the apex of the axilla? what are the borders of the apex?

Answer 2

• points towards the root of the neck — aka. axillary inlet
• borders: clavicle (anterior), scapula (posterior), the 1st rib (medially)
• all the nerves and vessels of the upper limb pass through this interval

Question 3

what is the base of the axilla? what is it formed by?

Answer 3

• faces inferiorly

- formed by the skin and fascia of the concave axilla (armpit)

Question 4

anterior wall of the axilla?

Answer 4

formed by pectoralis major and minor

Question 5

medial wall of the axilla?

Answer 5

formed by ribs 1-4, intercostal muscles and serrated anterior

Question 6

posterior wall of the axilla?

Answer 6

formed by the scapula, subscapularis, teres major and latissimus dorsi

Question 7

lateral wall of axilla?

Answer 7

formed by bicipital groove of the humerus

Question 8

describe the axillary artery

Answer 8

• begins at the lateral edge of the 1st rib as a continuation of the subclavian artery
• becomes the brachial artery at the lower border of teres major

Question 9

describe the axillary vein

Answer 9

• formed by the union of the venae comitantes with the basilic vein
• ends at the 1st rib where it becomes the subclavian vein

Question 10

approx 75% of lymph from the breast drains where?

Answer 10

into the ipsolateral axillary nodes

Question 11

what is axillary clearance?

Answer 11

if cancer is confirmed in the axilla lymph nodes, the axillary lymph nodes may need to be removed to prevent the cancer from spreading

Question 12

what drains into the central nodes and then into the apical nodes?

Answer 12

efferent vessels from the pectoral (anterior), humeral (lateral) and subscapular (posterior) nodes drain into central nodes and them into the apical modes

— efferent vessels from here merge to from the subclavian trunk