L4 Flashcards
Define the axilla
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
What are the boundaries of the axilla?
- Apex
- Floor
- Anterior
- Posterior
- Medial and lateral walls
What are the bony boundaries of the apex of axilla?
- Posterior clavicle
- Outer border of the first rib
- Superior scapula
Where does the radial nerve begin?
In the axilla
Where does the clavipectoral fascia split?
Around pectoralis minor and then blends with axillary fascia via the suspensory ligament.
What do the quadrangular (x1) and triangular spaces (x2) between muscles forming the posterior wall allow for?
The passage of neurovascular structures to the posterior arm
What makes up the floor of axilla?
Skin of armpit
What makes up the anterior wall of axilla?
- Pec major and minor
- Subclavius
- Clavipectoral fascia
What makes up the lateral wall of axilla?
Intertubercular surface
What makes up the posterior wall of axilla?
- Subscapularis
- Teres major
- Latissimus dorsi
- LH of triceps brachii
What surrounds the neurovascular bundle (axilla)?
Axillary sheath
What makes up the medial wall of axilla?
Serratus anterior
What makes up the inlet of axilla?
- Clavicle
- Superior scapula
- Lateral margin of first rib
What changes when the axillary artery pass above the 1st rib?
Becomes subclavian artery
What changes when the axillary artery pass below the teres major muscle ?
It becomes the brachial artery
Where does the anterior or pectoral group receive lymph from?
From the upper half of anterior wall trunk and from major part of breast.
Where does the posterior or scapular group receive lymph from?
From posterior wall of upper half of trunk and from axillary tail of breast.
Where does the central group receive lymph from?
From preceding groups and drains into apical group.
Where does the apical or infraclavicular group receive lymph from?
From the central group, from upper part of breast and from the thumb.
What is injected into the breast tissue surrounding a tumor?
Radioactive tracer, coloured dye or both
Where does the injected material migrate to in the breast?
To nearby draining lymph nodes
What happens if cancer is found in the sentinel nodes?
A complete axillary dissection is performed with removal of regional lymph nodes from the armpit
What are sentinel nodes?
The first few lymph nodes into which a tumor drains
What muscle does the musculocutaneous nerve pierce?
Coracobrachialis
How many parts of the axillary artery are there?
3
Where does the axillary artery start?
At the outer border of 1st rib
What does the 1st part of the axillary nerve branch off into?
Superior thoracic artery
What does the 2nd part of the axillary nerve branch off into?
- Thoraco-acromial artery
- Lateral thoracic artery
What does the 3rd part of the axillary nerve branch off into?
- Subscapular artery
- Posterior circumflex humeral artery
- Anterior circumflex humeral artery
What is the location of axillary vein?
- Anterior to axillary
- Behind pec minor
