Axilla of Arm Flashcards
What 3 structures form the anterior wall of the Axilla?
Pectoralis Major and Minor muscles.
Subclavius Muscle
Clavipectoral Fascia
What structure forms the lateral wall of the axilla?
Intertubercular Sulcus.
What 4 structures form the Posterior Wall of the Axilla?
Subscapularis.
Teres Major.
Latissimus Dorsi.
Long Head of Triceps Brachii Muscle.
What defines the Floor of the Axilla?
Skin of armpit.
Opens laterally into arm.
What defines the Medial Wall of the Axilla?
Upper thoracic wall.
Serratus Anterior Muscle
What 3 structures define the Inlet of the Axilla?
Lateral margin of rib 1.
Clavicle
Superior margin of scapula to coracoid process.
What does the axillary sheath contain?
Arteries
Veins
Nerves
Lymphatics
What are the 5 contents of the Axilla itself?
Blood vessels Lymphatic vessels Axillary lymph nodes (Hard.Looks like a bean) Axillary fat Brachial plexus
How are the axillary vein, artery, and brachial nerves oriented at the axillary inlet?
Axillary vein is anterior,
Axillary artery is in the middle, and
Brachial plexus trunks are posterior
What muscles pass through the axilla?
Biceps Brachii and Coracobrachialis.
Where do axillary lymph nodes receive lymph from? 7 items
upper limb upper back Shoulder lower neck chest anterolateral abdominal wall. 75% of mammary gland.
Where are humeral (lateral) nodes? What is significant?
Posterior and medial to the axillary vein. Receives most of the lymphatic drainage from upper limb.
What can happen to the lymph system after a mastectomy, surgical axillary nodal clearance or radiotherapy occurs?
Those procedures can destroy tiny lymphatics. When the lymphatics are damaged, the drainage of the upper limb is slowed and the arm may swell and pitting edema (lymphedema) may develop.
