The axilla

Question 0

What are the contents of the axilla?

Answer 0

• Brachial Plexus
• Axillary artery
• Axillary vein
• Lymph nodes
• Tendons of Biceps Brachii and Coracobrachialis

Question 1

What is the purpose of the axilla?

Answer 1

-To allow passage of vessels and nerves into the upper limb

Question 2

Where does the axillary artery arise from?

Answer 2

-It is a continuation of the subclavian artery which becomes axillary upon passing beneath the calvicle

Question 3

What does the axillary artery become?

Answer 3

-The brachial artery as it descends into the arm

Question 4

What is the main branch of the brachial artery in the arm?

Answer 4

-Profunda Brachii

Question 5

What artery branches off the axillary artery within the axilla?

Answer 5

-Posterior circumflex

Question 6

What is the axillary sheath?

Answer 6

-Fascia which encloses the axillary artery and vein and nerves

Question 7

What is the main vein draining the upper limb?

Answer 7

-Axillary vein

Question 8

What does the axillary vein drain into?

Answer 8

-The subclavian vein

Question 9

Which two veins mainly make the axillary vein?

Answer 9

-The cephalic and basilic veins

Question 10

What makes the lateral wall of the axilla?

Answer 10

-Intertubecular sculus/groove

Question 11

What makes the anterior wall of the axilla?

Answer 11

• Pec major
• Pec minor
• Subclavius

Question 12

What makes the medial border of the axilla?

Answer 12

• Upper thoracic ribs and intercostal muscles

- Serratus anterior

Question 13

What makes the posterior border of the axilla?

Answer 13

• Subscapularis
• Teres major
• Latissimus Dorsi

Question 14

What makes the apex/inlet of the axilla?

Answer 14

-Between the coracoid process, posterior border of clavicle and the 1st rib

Question 15

What is the main route of exit out of the axilla?

Answer 15

-Inferiorly

Question 16

What is the quadrangular space?

Answer 16

-An exit from the axilla providing access to the posterior shoulder and arm

Question 17

What structures leave the axilla through the quadrangular triangle?

Answer 17

• Axillary nerve

- Posterior circumflex artery

Question 18

What is the clavipectoral triangle?

Answer 18

-Gap in the anterior wall of the axilla providing access to the anterior arm and pectoral region

Question 19

What structures enter/leave the axilla in the clavipectoral triangle?

Answer 19

• Cephalic vein enters

- Medial and lateral pectoral nerves leave

Question 20

What is axillary clearance?

Answer 20

-Removal of all the lymph nodes in the axilla

Question 21

What is axillary clearance used for?

Answer 21

-Disease control in invasive breast cancer

Question 22

Why are the axillary lymph nodes frequent site for metasteses of breast cancer?

Answer 22

-75% of breast lymph drains here

Question 23

What nerve is possibly damaged during axillary clearance?

Answer 23

-Long thoracic nerve

Question 24

What is lymphangitis of the upper limb?

Answer 24

-Inflammation of the lymphatic channels of the upper limb

Question 25

What is the cause of lymphangitis?

Answer 25

-Infection at a distal site, often with strep pyogenes

Question 26

What are the symptoms of lymphangitis?

Answer 26

• Rubor
• Calor
• Tumor
• Dolor

Question 27

What is thoracic outlet syndrome?

Answer 27

-Muscle weakness, pain and paranthesia resulting from compression of vessels and nerves in the apex/inlet

Question 28

What are common causes of thoracic outlet syndrome?

Answer 28

• Trauma eg fractured clavicle

- Repetitive strain ie occupations requiring lots of overhead lifting