Brachial Plexus and Axilla

Question 1

Borders of axilla

Answer 1

Medial: thoracic wall (ribs), Serratus Anterior muscle (from Scapula to ribs)

Lateral: Humerus

Anterior: Pectoralis muscles Posterior: Scapula, Subscapularis muscle, Latissimus Dorsi

Apex: ~ Clavicle

  Base: ~ inferior angle of scapula

Question 2

anterior axillary fold formed by

Answer 2

pectoralis major

Question 3

posterior axillary fold formed

Answer 3

teres major and latissimus dorsi

Question 4

What is contained in the axillary space?

Answer 4

fat, Axillary Artery, Axillary Vein, lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels

Question 5

brachial plexus originates from

Answer 5

C5-T1

Question 6

branches of axillary artery

Answer 6

Superior thoracic artery

Thoracacromial artery

• acromial branch
• deltoid branch
• clavicular branch
• pectoral branch

lateral thoracic artery

Circumflex artery (anterior and posterior)

Subscapular artery

• circumflex scapular
• thoracodorsal artery

brachial artery

Question 7

flow of lymph fluid (distal to proximal)

Answer 7

Proximal sequence: Humeral, Pectoral, and Suscapular nodes drain to Central Axillary to Apical Axillary to Subclavian nodes

Question 8

Radial nerve

Answer 8

  Branches in the arm, forearm, and hand

Motor: anterior compartment of forearm, hand

  Muscles: mostly extensors of arm, wrist, fingers

  Sensory: cutaneous territory in arm, forearm, hand

Clinical significance: compression injury at axilla

Question 9

Different levels of spinal cord neck, UE, and lumbosacral plexus

Answer 9

Cervical plexus- C1-C4= neck

Brachial plexus- C5-T1= UE

Lumbosacral plexus- L1-S5= LE