Axilla, Anterior Chest and Breast Flashcards
Pyramidal/pyramid-shaped space
Axilla
Location of Axilla:
Inferior to _______
Superior to _______
Location of Axilla:
Inferior to Glenohumeral joint
Superior to Axillary fascia at junction of arm and thorax
Function of axilla
Passageway “Distribution Center” for neuromuscular structures protected by ADDUCTED upper limb
Neuromuscular structures pass through via:
Superiorly:
Anteriorly:
Inferiorly and laterally:
Posteriorly:
Inferiorly and medially:
Neuromuscular structures pass through via:
Superiorly: cervico-axillary canal to and from root of neck
Anteriorly: clavipectoral triangle to the pectoral region
Inferiorly and laterally: into limb itself
Posteriorly: quadrangular space to scapular region
Inferiorly and medially: along thoracic wall to inferiorly-placed axis - appendicular muscles (serratus anterior and latissimus dorsi)
T/F: Axilla is an important passage for nerves, blood, and lymph vessels from root of neck to upper limb.
True
Boundaries of axila
Apex
Base
4 Walls
Causes axilla to rapidly resume the protected position when invasion threatens
Tickle reflex
APEX of axilla
Cervico-axillary canal bounded by:
1st rib
clavicle
superior edge of scapula
Arteries, veins, lymphatics, and nerves transverse in this opening to pass to or from the arm
BASE of axilla
1. Concave skin
2. Subcutaneous tissue
3. Deep axillary fascia
Deep axillary fascia: from arm to thoracic wall (4th rib level)
Base of axilla forms the axillary fossa
Axillary fossa: _______
Armpit
2 layers of ANTERIOR WALL of axilla
2 layers of ANTERIOR WALL of axilla
Anterior:
Pecs (Major and minor)
Pectoral and clavipectoral fascia
Inferior:
Anterior axillary fold (may be grasped between fingers)
POSTERIOR WALL of axilla
POSTERIOR WALL of axilla
Anterior:
Scapula
Subscapularis
Inferior:
Teres Major
Latissimus Dorsi
Inferiormost of posterior wall
Posterior axillary fold
(May be grasped, extends father inferiorly than the anterior wall)
Axillary fold is made up of: Latissimus Dorsi, Teres Major, Overlying Integument
MEDIAL WALL of axilla
Thoracic wall (1st - 4th ribs and intercostal muscles), and overlying Serratus Anterior
LATERAL WALL of axilla
Narrow bony wall formed by Intertubercular sulcus in the humerus
Describe:
Axillary Artery
Begins at lateral border of 1st rib as continuation of subsclavian artery;
Ends at inferior border of teres major
Passes posterior to pectoralis minor in arm»_space; Brachial Artery when it passes inferior border of teres major, and has reached humerus
What divides Axillary Artery into 3 parts?
Pectoralis Minor
Describe:
1st part of axillary artery
Location: Between lateral border of 1st rib and medial border of pectoralis minor
Enclosed in: Axillary sheath
Has ONE branch = Superior thoracic artery
Describe:
2nd part of axillary artery
Location: posterior to pectoralis minor
Has TWO branches:
1. Thoraco-acromial - passes medially to muscle
2. Lateral thoracic arteries - passes laterally to muscle
Describe:
3rd part of axillary artery
Location: Extends from lateral border of pectoralis minor to inferior border of teres major
Has THREE branches:
1. Subscapular artery - Largest branch of axillary artery
2. anterior circumflex humeral artery
3. posterior circumflex humeral arteries
Which is the largest branch of axillary artery?
Subscapular artery
Identify:
Small, highly variable vessel that arises just inferior to subclavius
Superior Thoracic Artery
STA anastomoses with intercostal and/or internal thoracic arteries
True or False:
Superior Thoracic Artery commonly runs inferomedially anterior to axillary vein.
FALSE
STA runs inferomedially posterior to axillary vein.
Which muscles are supplied to by STA?
Subclavius muscles in 1st and 2nd intercostal spaces
Superior slips of Serratus Anterior
Overlying Pectoral Muscles
Short wide trunk, which pierces costocoracoid membrane
Thoraco-Acromial Artery
Divides into 4 branches: Acromial, Deltoid, Pectoral, and Clavicular
Divides deep to clavicular head of pectoralis major
Arises as the 2nd branch of 2nd part of axillary artery and descends along lateral border of pectoralis minor
From thoracic wall, may arise from *thoraco-acromial, suprascapular, or subscapular arteries
Lateral Thoracic Artery
Lateral thoracic artery supplies the _____________ (5)
1. Pectoral muscles
2. Serratus anterior
3. Intercostal muscles
4. Axillary lymph nodes
5. Lateral aspect of breast*
Axillary artery branch with the greatest diameter but shortest length descends along lateral border of subscapularies on posterior axillary wall
Subscapular Artery
Terminates by dividing into: circumflex scapular artery and thoracodorsal artery
Larger terminal branch of subscapular artery
Circumflex Scapular Artery
Curves posteriorly around lateral border of scapula
Pass posteriorly between subscapularis and teres major to supply muscles on the dorsum of scapula
Participates in anastomoses around scapula
Continues the course of subscapular artery to the inferior angle of the scapula and supplies adjacent muscles, principally latissimus dorsi
Thoracodorsal Artery
Participates in anastomoses around scapula
Encircle surgical neck of humerus, anastomosing with each other
Circumflex Humeral Arteries
Smaller circumflex humeral artery which passess laterally, deep to coracobrachialis and biceps brachii
Anterior Circumflex Humeral Artery
Gives off an ascending branch that supplies the shoulder
Larger circumflex humeral artery which passes medially through *posterior wall of axilla via quadrangular space with axillary nerve to supply glenohumeral joint and surrounding muscles
Posterior Circumflex Humeral Artery
Formed by union of brachial vein and basilic vein at the inferior border of teres major
Lies initially (distally) on anteromedial side of axillary artery with its terminal part antero-inferior to artery
Axillary Vein
Three parts that correspond to 3 parts of axillary artery
- Initial, distal end is the 3rd part
- Terminal, proximal end is the 1st part
Ends at lateral border of 1st rib, where it becomes subclavian vein
Axillary Vein
Veins of axilla are:
more abundant than arteries
highly variable
frequently anastomose
Describe
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