Breast And Axilla

Question 1

Neaurovascular supply of the breast (superior, medial and lateral)

Answer 1

Superior- internal thoracic artery and vein and supraclavicular nerve
Medial- internal thoracic artery and vein and medial thoracic intercostal nerve
Lateral- axillary artery and vein and lateral thoracic intercostal nerve

Question 2

Borders of the Axilla

Answer 2

Anterior- pec major and minor
Medial- serratus anterior and thoracic wall
Posterior- subscapularis, teres major, latissimus dorsi
Lateral- intertubercular sulcus on humerus

Question 3

Contents of the Axilla

Answer 3

• Axillary artery (and branches) – the main artery supplying the upper limb. It is commonly referred as having three parts; one medial to the pectoralis minor, one posterior to pectoralis minor, and one lateral to pectoralis minor. The medial and posterior parts travel in the axilla.
• Axillary vein (and tributaries) – the main vein draining the upper limb, its two largest tributaries are the cephalic and basilic veins.
• Brachial plexus (and branches) – a collection of spinal nerves that form the peripheral nerves of the upper limb.
• Axillary lymph nodes – they filter lymphatic fluid that has drained from the upper limb and pectoral region. Axillary lymph node enlargement is a non-specific indicator of breast cancer.
• Biceps brachii (short head) and coracobrachialis – these muscle tendons move through the axilla, where they attach to the coracoid process of the scapula

Question 4

Lymph drainage route

Answer 4

subareolar plexus
posterior, lateral, anterior
central
apical

Top right- right lymphatic duct
Rest- thoracic duct

then- enters the systemic circulation at the junction of the right and left subclavian vein and the jugular vein

The lining of lymphatic vessels is composed of simple squamous epithelium

Muscle contractions and pressure changes caused by breathing moves lymph fluid through the body