The axilla Flashcards
What is the apex of the axilla?
Lateral border of 1st rib
Superior border of scapula
Posterior border of clavicle
What forms the lateral wall of the axilla?
Intertubercular sulcus
What forms the medial wall of the axilla?
Serratus anterior, ribs, intercostal muscles
What forms the anterior wall of the axilla?
Pectoralis major/minor, subclavius
What forms the posterior wall of the axilla?
Subscapularis, teres major, latissimus dorsi
What forms the base of the axilla?
Axillary fascia + skin
What are the 7 contents of the axilla?
Axillary artery Axillary vein Cords of brachial plexus Branches of brachial plexus Intercostobrachial nerve T2 Axillary lymph nodes Biceps brachii + corachobrachialis
What are the 3 routes that structures leave the axilla?
1 = inferolaterally into upper limb 2 = via quadrangular space to posterior arm + shoulder (axillary nerve + post. circumflex humeral artery) 3 = via clavipectoral triangle (deltopectoral triangle), opening in anterior wall of axilla bound by pec. major/clavicle/deltoid (where cephalic vein enters + medial/lateral pectoral nerves leave)
What are the 6 lymph nodes of the axilla?
APICAL
Anterior Posterior Infraclavicular Central Apical Lateral
Where is the anterior group of lymph nodes and where do they receive lymph vessels from?
Lower pec. minor
From lateral quadrants of breast + anterolateral abdo. wall above umbilicus
Where is the posterior group of lymph nodes and where do they receive lymph vessels from?
In front of subscapularis
From back
Where is the lateral group of lymph nodes and where do they receive lymph vessels from?
Medial side of axillary vein
From upper limb (except those draining into infraclavicular nodes)
Where is the central group of lymph nodes and where do they receive lymph from?
Centre of axilla
From anterior/posterior/lateral groups
Where is the infraclavicular group of lymph nodes and where do they receive lymph vessels from?
Groove between pec. major + deltoid
From lateral side of hand/forearm/arm
Where is the apical group of lymph nodes and where do they receive efferent lymph vessels from?
Apex of axilla
From all other axillary nodes
What do the efferent vessels from the axillary node converge to form?
Subclavian lymphatic trunk
What does the right subclavian trunk form + drain into?
Right lymphatic duct
Right venous angle (junction of internal jugular + subclavian veins)
What does the left subclavian trunk drain into?
Thoracic duct then left venous angle (junction of internal jugular + subclavian veins)
What causes axillary lymphadenopathy?
Upper limb infection/breast/pectoral region
Metastases from breast cancer/malignant melanoma
Lymphoma/leukaemia
What are the 3 risks of axillary lymph node dissection?
Damage to long thoracic nerve + thoracodorsal nerve
Interrupt lymphatic drainage = lymphoedema
