Axilla and Axillary Artery

Question 1

Name three superficial features of the axilla

Answer 1

Anterior axillary fold, floor (or base), posterior axillary fold

Question 2

In the floor or base of the axilla, the skin and superficial fascia overlies the…

Answer 2

deep or axillary fascia

Question 3

Which fascia runs from pectoralis minor to the clavicle?

Answer 3

Clavipectoral fascia

Question 4

What vasculature can be found in the deltopectoral triangle?

Answer 4

Cephalic vein and thoracoacromial trunk (artery)

Question 5

What is pectoralis major’s investing fascia?

Answer 5

Pectoral fascia

Question 6

What is prectoralis minor’s fascia?

Answer 6

Clavipectoral fascia

Question 7

What structures make up the anterior wall of the axilla?

Answer 7

Pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, and associated fascia

Question 8

What muscles make up the posterior wall of the axilla?

Answer 8

Teres major, subscapularis, and latissimus dorsi

Question 9

What is the medial wall of the axilla?

Answer 9

Serratus anterior and the ribs

Question 10

What is the lateral wall of the axilla?

Answer 10

Intertubercular (bicipital) sulcus of the humerus

Question 11

What is the apex of the axilla?

Answer 11

Upper border of scapula, clavicle, and first rib

Question 12

List four major contents of the axilla

Answer 12

1. Lymph nodes
2. Axillary artery
3. Axillary vein
4. Cords of brachial plexus

Question 13

describe the subclavian artery as it travels distally through the arm

Answer 13

• clavicle to 1st rib = subclavian
• 1st rib to teres major = axillary
• teres major to cubital fossa = brachial
• splits into radial & ulnar aa

Question 14

What are the boundaries of the 1st part of the axillary artery?

Answer 14

between first rib & pec minor

Question 15

what are the boundaries of the 2nd part of the axillary artery?

Answer 15

under pec minor

Question 16

what are the boundaries of the 3rd part of the axillary artery?

Answer 16

pec minor to teres major

Question 17

What does the axillary artery become once it passes teres major?

Answer 17

Brachial artery

Question 18

What is the branch off the first section of the axillary artery?

Answer 18

Supreme thoracic artery

Question 19

What are the first and second branches off the second section of the axillary artery?

Answer 19

Thoracoacromial artery
Lateral thoracic artery

Question 20

What are the three branches off the third section of the axillary artery? Name them in the order they come

Answer 20

1. Subscapular artery
2. Anterior humeral circumflex artery
3. Posterior humeral circumflex artery

Question 21

Where does the subscapular artery branch from?
What does it branch into?

Answer 21

Third section of axillary artery branches into subscapular artery
Subscapular artery branches into circumflex scapular artery (lateral) and thoracodorsal artery (medial)