Upper Limb 1 Station 1 - The Axilla

Question 1

What is the Axilla, where is it and what does it “do”?

Answer 1

The pyramidal space below the shoulder joint
Lies under the glenohumeral joint
It provides a passageway for vessels and nerves going to and from the upper limb

Question 2

What specific parts of what two bones make up the glenohumeral joint and what type of joint is it?

Answer 2

Humeral head and the glenoid fossa of the scapula.

Question 3

Describe the structure and shape of the axilla.

Answer 3

Pyramidal - made up of 4 walls a base and an apex

Question 4

Anterior wall of the axilla is made up of?

Answer 4

Pectoralis major/minor and subclavius muscles

Question 5

Posterior wall of the axilla is made up of?

Answer 5

Latissimus dorsi, teres major and subscapularis

Question 6

Medial wall of the axilla is made up of?

Answer 6

Serratus anterior and the thoracic wall (ribs and intercostal muscles).

Question 7

Lateral wall of the axilla is made up of?

Answer 7

Intertubercular groove of the humerus.

Question 8

Name some structures that come through the axilla.

Answer 8

Axillary artery and branches
Axillary vein and tributaries 
Axillary lymph nodes and vessels 
Brachial Plexus 
Coracobrachialis and short head of bicep muscles

Question 9

Pec Major origin and insertion?

Answer 9

Origin - medial third of the clavicle, front of sternum and front of the 1st 6 costal cartilages
Insertion - anterior edge of bicipital groove (also known as intertubercular groove of the humerus.)

Question 10

Pec major function?

Answer 10

Adducts and medially rotates the upper limb

Question 11

Pec major innervation?

Answer 11

Lateral and medial pectoral nerves.

Question 12

Pec minor origin, insertion and function?

Answer 12

Origin - 3rd-5th ribs
Insertion - into the coracoid process of the scapula
Function - Stabilises the scapula

Question 13

Pec minor innervation?

Answer 13

Medial pectoral nerve

Question 14

Latissimus dorsi insertion and origin?

Answer 14

Origin - Starts at T7 and goes all the way down to the sacrum
Insertion - fibres converge into a tendon that attaches to the bicipital groove

Question 15

What does the latissimus tendon spiral round to get to its insertion point?

Answer 15

Teres major muscles

Question 16

Innervation of latissimus dorsi?

Answer 16

Thoracodorsal nerve

Question 17

Function of latissimus dorsi?

Answer 17

Extension adducts and medially rotates the upper limb.

Question 18

The axillary artery is a continuation of which artery?

Answer 18

Subclavian artery

Question 19

Draw the route of the upper limb arteries extending from the aorta and into the arm. Also - is this “route” symmetrical on both sides?

Answer 19

Use google to check

And no - right side has the brachiocephalic trunk before the right subclavian artery and left does not.

Question 20

At what anatomical point does the ax. artery become the brachial artery?

Answer 20

Inferior border of the teres major muscles

Question 21

What is a common infection of the upper limb?

Answer 21

Enlargement of ax. lymph nodes

Question 22

What may be necessary when profuse bleeding occurs due to severe injury in the upper limb?

Answer 22

Compression of ax. artery