Session 2 - The axilla

Question 1

What is the structure in the image?

Answer 1

The axilla

Question 2

What is A?

What is the structure of this locale formed from?

What is the defining feature of this location?

Answer 2

Apex of the axilla

Formed by lateral border of the first rib, superior border of scapula, and the posterior border of the clavicle

It is this opening that all structures pass through to enter the axilla.

Question 3

What is B?

Answer 3

The base of the axilla

Question 4

What is C?

What is it formed from?

Answer 4

The medial wall

The serratus anterior and the thoracic wall (ribs and intercostal muscles)

Question 5

What is D?

What is it formed from?

Answer 5

Anterior wall

Pectoralis major, underlying pectoralis minor and the subclavius muscles

Question 6

What is E?

What is it formed by?

Answer 6

The lateral wall

Intertubecular groove of the humerus

Question 7

What is F?

What is it formed from?

Answer 7

Posterior wall

Subscapularis, teres major and latissimus dorsi

Question 8

What is A?

What are the three parts of this structure?

Answer 8

The axillary artery

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.

Question 9

Describe the function of the axillary vein?

Answer 9

The main vein draining the upper limb, its two largest tributaries are the cephalic and basilic veins

Question 10

When does the axillary artery become the brachial artery?

Answer 10

At the lower margins of the teres major

Question 11

What is the axillary artery called before the lateral margin of the first rib?

Answer 11

The subclavian artery

Question 12

What is E?

What is its function and origin?

Answer 12

The long thoracic nerve

Innervates the serratus anterior.

Roots C5, C6 and C7

Question 13

What is D?

Where does it originate from?

Answer 13

The ulnar nerve

C8 - T1

Question 14

What is C?

What are its roots?

Answer 14

The median nerve

C5 - T1

Question 15

What is B?

Where are its roots?

Answer 15

The musculocutaneous nerve

C5, C6 and C7

Question 16

What are the two tendons found in the axilla?

Where do they attach?

Answer 16

Biceps Brachii and Corocobrachialis

tMove through the axilla, where they attach to the scapula

Question 17

What is the cluster of nerves in the axilla called?

Question 18

What causes thoracic outlet syndrome?

Answer 18

The vessels and nerves of the axilla may become compressed and damaged by the clavicle as a result of repetive strain or trauma ( fractures clavicle)

Question 19

What does thoracic outlet syndrome present as?

Answer 19

Pain in the affected limb, (where the pain is depends on what nerves are affected), tingling, muscle weakness and discolouration

Question 20

What is the clinical relevance of axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer diagnosis?

How can they be utilised in treatment?

Answer 20

75% of lymph from the breast drains into the axilla lymph nodes, so can be biopsied if breast cancer is suspected.

If breast cancer is confirmed, the axillary nodes may need to be removed to prevent the cancer spreading. This is known as axillary clearance

Question 21

What can axillary clearance result in?

Answer 21

Damage to long thoracic nerve and winged scapula