Axilla and brachial plexus

Question 1

Where does the clavipectoral fascia pass from and to

Answer 1

clavicle to fascia in floor of axilla

Question 2

Which 3 structures pierce the clavipectoral fascia

Answer 2

cephalic vein
thoracoacromial artery
lateral pectoral nerve

Question 3

What 3 structures are enclosed within the clavipectoral fascia

Answer 3

subclavius
pectoralis minor
suspensory ligament

Question 4

Describe the anterior boundaries of the axilla

Answer 4

pectoral muscles
subclavius
fascia

Question 5

Describe the posterior borders of the axilla

Answer 5

teres major
latissimus dorsi
subscapularis
long head of triceps brachii

Question 6

Describe the floor, roof, medial and lateral walls of the axilla

Answer 6

floor - skin
roof - clavicle, scapula, 1st rib
medial wall - serratus anterior
lateral wall - humerus

Question 7

Describe the contents of the axilla

Answer 7

vessels, nerves, lymphatics to upper limb
lymph nodes for upper limb and mammary tissue
short head of biceps and coracobrachialis
adipose tissue

Question 8

Where does the basilic vein become the axillary vein

Answer 8

inferior margin or teres major

Question 9

Where does the axillary vein become the subclavian vein

Answer 9

lateral border of 1st rib

Question 10

What veins drain into the axillary vein

Answer 10

basilic and cephalic

Question 11

Describe the basic anatomy of the basilic vein

Answer 11

drains the posterior-medial superficial tissues of the forearm and hand
receives blood from brachial veins

Question 12

Describe the basic anatomy of the cephalic vein

Answer 12

drains superficial tissues of the lateral side of forearm and hand
runs through deltopectoral groove to reach clavipectoral fascia before draining into axillary vein

Question 13

Describe the 3 sections of the axillary artery

Answer 13

1st - proximal to pec minor
1 branch - superior thoracic

2nd - posterior to pec minor
2 branches - thoracoacromial and layteral thoracic arteries

3rd - distal to pec minor
3 branches - subscapular, anterior and posterior humeral circumflex arteries

Question 14

Name the 5 lymph node groups of the axilla

Answer 14

humeral
pectoral
subscapular
central
apical

Question 15

Do the roots of brachial pelxus carry pre or post-ganglionic fibres

Answer 15

post-ganglionic, from grey rami communicates

Question 16

Describe the trunks of the brachial plexus

Answer 16

Superior trunk = C5&6
Middle trunk - C7
Inferior trunk - C8&T1

Question 17

Describe the branches of the superior trunk

Answer 17

dorsal scapular and phrenic
suprascapular and nerve to subclavius

Question 18

How are the cords of the brachial plexus named

Answer 18

dependant on their position in relation to the axillary artery

Question 19

Describe the makeup of each cord

Answer 19

lateral cord - ant division of superior and middle trunks

medial cord - ant division of inferior trunk

posterior cord - post division of all trunks

Question 20

Give the root levels for each cord

Answer 20

lateral - C5-7
medial - C8-T1
posterior - C5-T1

Question 21

Describe the terminal branches of the lateral cord

Answer 21

lateral pectoral
musculocutaneous
lateral root of median nerve

Question 22

Describe the terminal branches of the posterior cord

Answer 22

subscapular
thoracodorsal
axillary
radial

Question 23

Describe the terminal branches of the medial cord

Answer 23

medial pectoral nerve
2 cutaneous nerves to arm and forearm
ulnar nerve
medial root of median nerve

Question 24

What landmark should help identify musculocutaneous nerves in dissection

Answer 24

nerve pierces coracobrachialis

Question 25

Which anatomical space does the axillary nerve pass through

Answer 25

Quadrangular space

Question 26

Which anatomical space does the radial nerve pass through

Answer 26

triangular hiatus