L4

Question 1

Define the axilla

Answer 1

Potential space when the arm is adducted at the side of the body – and the
conduit through which all large structures must pass to enter or leave the
upper limb – when fully abducted the space

Question 2

What are the boundaries of the axilla?

Answer 2

• Apex
• Floor
• Anterior
• Posterior
• Medial and lateral walls

Question 3

What are the bony boundaries of the apex of axilla?

Answer 3

• Posterior clavicle
• Outer border of the first rib
• Superior scapula

Question 4

Where does the radial nerve begin?

Answer 4

In the axilla

Question 5

Where does the clavipectoral fascia split?

Answer 5

Around pectoralis minor and then blends with axillary fascia via the suspensory ligament.

Question 6

What do the quadrangular (x1) and triangular spaces (x2) between muscles forming the posterior wall allow for?

Answer 6

The passage of neurovascular structures to the posterior arm

Question 7

What makes up the floor of axilla?

Answer 7

Skin of armpit

Question 8

What makes up the anterior wall of axilla?

Answer 8

• Pec major and minor
• Subclavius
• Clavipectoral fascia

Question 9

What makes up the lateral wall of axilla?

Answer 9

Intertubercular surface

Question 10

What makes up the posterior wall of axilla?

Answer 10

• Subscapularis
• Teres major
• Latissimus dorsi
• LH of triceps brachii

Question 11

What surrounds the neurovascular bundle (axilla)?

Answer 11

Axillary sheath

Question 12

What makes up the medial wall of axilla?

Answer 12

Serratus anterior

Question 13

What makes up the inlet of axilla?

Answer 13

• Clavicle
• Superior scapula
• Lateral margin of first rib

Question 14

What changes when the axillary artery pass above the 1st rib?

Answer 14

Becomes subclavian artery

Question 15

What changes when the axillary artery pass below the teres major muscle ?

Answer 15

It becomes the brachial artery

Question 16

Where does the anterior or pectoral group receive lymph from?

Answer 16

From the upper half of anterior wall trunk and from major part of breast.

Question 17

Where does the posterior or scapular group receive lymph from?

Answer 17

From posterior wall of upper half of trunk and from axillary tail of breast.

Question 18

Where does the central group receive lymph from?

Answer 18

From preceding groups and drains into apical group.

Question 19

Where does the apical or infraclavicular group receive lymph from?

Answer 19

From the central group, from upper part of breast and from the thumb.

Question 20

What is injected into the breast tissue surrounding a tumor?

Answer 20

Radioactive tracer, coloured dye or both

Question 21

Where does the injected material migrate to in the breast?

Answer 21

To nearby draining lymph nodes

Question 22

What happens if cancer is found in the sentinel nodes?

Answer 22

A complete axillary dissection is performed with removal of regional lymph nodes from the armpit

Question 23

What are sentinel nodes?

Answer 23

The first few lymph nodes into which a tumor drains

Question 24

What muscle does the musculocutaneous nerve pierce?

Answer 24

Coracobrachialis

Question 25

How many parts of the axillary artery are there?

Answer 25

3

Question 26

Where does the axillary artery start?

Answer 26

At the outer border of 1st rib

Question 27

What does the 1st part of the axillary nerve branch off into?

Answer 27

Superior thoracic artery

Question 28

What does the 2nd part of the axillary nerve branch off into?

Answer 28

• Thoraco-acromial artery

- Lateral thoracic artery

Question 29

What does the 3rd part of the axillary nerve branch off into?

Answer 29

• Subscapular artery
• Posterior circumflex humeral artery
• Anterior circumflex humeral artery

Question 30

What is the location of axillary vein?

Answer 30

• Anterior to axillary

- Behind pec minor