MSK Session 2- The Axilla Region

Question 0

What is the purpose for the axilla?

Answer 0

It is a passageway for neurovascular structures between the upper limb and the thorax.

Question 1

Where is the axilla located?

Answer 1

Inferior to the glenohumeral joint.

Question 2

What happens to the size and vulnerability of the axilla as abduction increases?

Answer 2

The size of the axilla decreases, but it becomes more exposed and vulnerable.

Question 3

What forms the apex border? (3)

Answer 3

The inferior portion of the clavicle
The superior scapula
The lateral border of the 1st rib

Question 4

What forms the base border? (2)

Answer 4

Axillary fascia and skin of the armpit

Question 5

What forms the anterior border? (2)

Answer 5

Pectoralis major

Pectoralis minor

Question 6

What forms the posterior border? (3)

Answer 6

Latissimus dorsi
Teres major
Subscapularis

Question 7

What forms the medial border? (3)

Answer 7

Serratus anterior
Intercostal muscles
Ribs

Question 8

What forms the lateral border?

Answer 8

Intertubercular groove of the humerus.

Question 9

What are the four content of the axilla?

Answer 9

Brachial plexus
Axillary artery
Axillary vein
Axillary lymph nodes

Question 10

What is the axillary artery a continuation of and what does it become? (Indicate when these changes occur)

Answer 10

It is a continuation of the subclavian artery.
Becomes the axillary artery at the lateral border of the first rib.
It becomes the brachial artery at the inferior border of teres major.

Question 11

What are the two main tributaries of the axillary vein?

Answer 11

The basilic and cephalic veins

Question 12

What is axillary node enlargement an indicator of?

Answer 12

Breast cancer.

Question 13

What is axillary clearance and why is it performed?

Answer 13

It is removal of the axillary lymph nodes.

It is performed in some patients diagnosed with breast cancer because 75% of Breast Lymph drains into axillary lymph.

Question 14

What may be injured during axillary clearance and what can this lead to?

Answer 14

The long thoracic nerve

Winged scapula

Question 15

Which cord does the superior trunk give rise to in the brachial plexus?

Answer 15

The lateral cord

Question 16

Which cord does the middle trunk give rise to?

Answer 16

Posterior cord

Question 17

Which cord does the inferior trunk give rise to?

Answer 17

Medial cord

Question 18

Which cord does the musculocutaneous nerve arise from?

Answer 18

Lateral

Question 19

Which cords does the median nerve arise from?

Answer 19

The lateral and medial cords.

Question 20

Which cord does the axillary nerve arise from?

Answer 20

Posterior cord

Question 21

Which cord does the radial nerve arise from?

Answer 21

Posterior

Question 22

Which cord does the ulnar nerve arise from?

Answer 22

Medial cord

Question 23

Which three nerves of the brachial plexus form an ‘M’ and which structure do they form it around?

Answer 23

Musculocutaneous, median and ulnar nerves

Around the brachial artery.

Question 24

What is lymphagitis?

Answer 24

It is inflammation and infection of the lymphatic channels due to streptococcus pyogenes (group A strep.)