The axilla, brachial plexus and muscles of the anterior arm

Question 1

How does blood reach the right axillary artery from the left ventricle?

Answer 1

(Name the arteries through which it passes.) Aorta, brachiocephalic artery, subclavian artery, axillary artery.

Question 2

Draw and label a diagram of the brachial plexus showing its parts and major branches.

Answer 2



Question 3

Outline the arrangement of the cords of the brachial plexus around the second part of the axillary artery.

Answer 3

The cords of the brachial plexus lie lateral, medial and posterior to the axillary artery (immediately behind pectoralis minor muscle).

Question 4

Which muscles for the rotator cuff, where are they inserted?

Answer 4

Supraspinatus; superior facet on the greater tuberosity of the humerus,
Infraspinatus; middle facet on the greater tuberosity of the humerus,
Teres minor; inferior facet on the greater tuberosity of the humerus,
Subscapularis; Lesser tuberosity of the humerus.

Question 5

Briefly describe the various lymph node groups in the axilla and their clinical significance.

Answer 5

There are five well described groups;

a) anterior; directly under pectoralis major
b) lateral; between pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi close to the humerus c) posterior; lying against teres major at the back of the axilla
d) central; inferior to the neurovascular bundle deep to pectoralis minor
e) apical; adjacent to the outer border of the first rib.

Question 6

What parts of the body drain lymph directly to the axillary lymph nodes?

Answer 6

Ipsilateral upper limb and body wall above the umbilicus.

Question 7

What structures lie along the medial border of the biceps in the middle of the arm?

Answer 7

Median nerve , ulna nerve, medial cutaneous nerve of the forearm, brachial artery and basilar vein.