Axilla

Question 1

Apex

Answer 1

Lateral border of the first rib
Superior border of scapula
Posterior border of the clavicle.

Question 2

Lateral Border

Answer 2

Intertubecular sulcus (groove) of humerus

Question 3

Medial Border

Answer 3

Serratus anterior 
Thoracic wall (ribs and intercostal muscles)

Question 4

Anterior Border

Answer 4

Pec major
Pec minor
Subclavius

Question 5

Posterior Border

Answer 5

Subscapularis
Teres major
Latissimus dorsi

Question 6

Contents

Answer 6

Axillary artery 
Axillary vein (medial)
Axillary lymph nodes
Brachial plexus
Short head of biceps brachia (lateral)
Coracobracialis

Question 7

What happens when vessels and nerves become compressed in the apex?

Answer 7

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS)

Question 8

Common causes of TOS

Answer 8

Trauma eg. fractured clavicle

Repetitive eg. professions that require lifting of the arms

Question 9

Axillary clearance

Answer 9

75% of breast lymph drains into axilla lymph
If breast cancer is suspected the axillary nodes are biopsied
If confirmed, the nodes are removed - axillary clearance

Question 10

What can be damaged during axillary clearance and what can this result in?

Answer 10

Long thoracic nerve damage

Winging of the scapula