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ESA 2- Musculoskeletal System > Axilla > Flashcards

Axilla Flashcards

1
Q

What is the axilla?

A

The name given to an area that lies underneath the glenohumeral joint, at the junction of the upper limb and thorax

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2
Q

What is the function of the axilla?

A

It’s a passageway by which structures such as vessels and nerves can enter and leave the upper limb

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3
Q

What is the overall 3D shape of the axilla?

A

Looks slightly like a pyramid

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4
Q

What do the borders of the axilla consist of?

A

Four sides, and a base with an opening at the apex

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5
Q

What are the walls of the axilla?

A 
Apex
 Lateral wall
 Medial wall
 Anterior wall
 Posterior wall
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6
Q

What is the apex of the axilla also known as?

A

The axillary inlet

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7
Q

What forms the apex of the axilla?

A

The lateral border of the first rib, superior border of the scapula, and the posterior border of the clavicle

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8
Q

What forms the lateral wall of the axilla?

A

The intertubecular groove of the humerus

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9
Q

What forms the medial wall of the axilla?

A

The serratus anterior and thoracic wall (ribs and intercostal muscles)

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10
Q

What forms the anterior wall of the axilla?

A

Pectoralis major and underlying pectoralis minor and subclavius muscles

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11
Q

What forms the posterior wall of the axilla?

A

Subscapularis, teres major, latissimus dorsi

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12
Q

How does the size and shape of the axilla vary?

A

With arm abuductio

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13
Q

When does the size of the axilla decrease most markedly?

A

When the arm is fully abducted

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14
Q

What is true of the axilla when the arm is fully abducted?

A

The contents of the axilla are at most risk of injury

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15
Q

How many routes are there by which structures leave the axilla?

A

Three

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16
Q

What is the main route of exit from the axilla?

A

Immediately inferiorly and laterally, into the upper limb

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17
Q

What are the other routes of exit from the axilla?

A

Via the quadrangular space

Via the clavipectoral triangle

18
Q

What is the quadrangular space?

A

A gap in the posterior wall of the axilla

19
Q

What does the quadrangular space allow?

A

Access to the posterior arm and shoulder

20
Q

What structures pass through the quadrangular space?

A

Axillary nerve

Posterior circumflex humeral artery

21
Q

What is the clavipectoral triangle?

A

An opening in the anterior wall of the axilla

22
Q

What is the clavipectoral triangle bound by?

A

The pectoralis major, deltoid and clavicle

23
Q

What travels through the clavipectoral triangle?

A

The cephalic vein enters the axilla

The medial and lateral pectoral nerves leave the axilla

24
Q

What are the clinically important contents of the axilla region?

A

Axillary artery Axillary vein
Brachial plexus
Biceps brachii and coracobrachialis tendons
Axillary lymph nodes

25
Q

What is the axillary artery?

A

The main artery supplying the upper limb

26
Q

What is the axillary artery commonly referred to having?

A

Three parts, one medial to the pectoralis minor, one posterior to the pectoralis minor, and one lateral to the pectoralis minor

27
Q

What parts of the axillary artery travel in the axilla?

A

The medial and posterior parts

28
Q

What is the axillary vein?

A

The main vein draining the upper limb

29
Q

What are the axillary veins largest tributaries?

A

The cephalic and basilic veins

30
Q

What is the brachial plexus?

A

A collection of spinal nerves that form peripheral nerves of the upper limb

31
Q

What happens to the biceps brachii and coracobrachialis tendons when they move through the axilla?

A

They attach to the coracoid process of the scapula

32
Q

What do the axillary lymph nodes do?

A

Filter lymph that has drained from the upper limb and pectoral region

33
Q

What does axillary lymph node enlargement mean in women?

A

It is a non-specific indicator of breast cancer

34
Q

What is the apex of the axilla?

A

An opening between the clavicle, first rib and the scapula

35
Q

What can happen in the apex of the axilla?

A

The vessels and nerves may become compressed between the bones, called thoracic outlet syndrome

36
Q

What are the common causes of TOS?

A

Trauma, e.g. fractured clavicle

Repetitive movements

37
Q

How does TOS often present?

A

Pain in the affected limb, tingling, muscle weakness and discolouration

38
Q

What does where the pain in TOS is felt depend on?

A

What nerves are affected

39
Q

Why can lymph nodes be biopsied if breast cancer is suspected?

A

Approx. 75% of lymph from the breast drains into the axilla lymph nodes

40
Q

What may happen if breast cancer is confirmed?

A

The axillary nodes may need to be removed to prevent the cancer spreading, a procedure called axillary clearance

41
Q

What may happen during axillary clearance?

A

The long thoracic nerve may become damaged, resulting in winged scapula

ESA 2- Musculoskeletal System (69 decks)

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