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The Axilla: Norah Almudawi

The axilla is the space between the upper arm and chest. It has a pyramid shape with an apex and base. The axilla contains neurovascular structures connecting the neck and thorax to the upper limbs, including the brachial plexus, axillary artery and veins, lymph nodes, and fat. The axillary artery gives off branches in three parts divided by the pectoralis minor muscle, including the thoracoacromial, lateral thoracic, and subscapular arteries. The axillary vein mirrors the artery, receiving tributaries from its branches before continuing as the subclavian vein. Enlarged axillary lymph nodes can indicate the spread of cancer from breast or other sites.

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991 views14 pages

The Axilla: Norah Almudawi

The axilla is the space between the upper arm and chest. It has a pyramid shape with an apex and base. The axilla contains neurovascular structures connecting the neck and thorax to the upper limbs, including the brachial plexus, axillary artery and veins, lymph nodes, and fat. The axillary artery gives off branches in three parts divided by the pectoralis minor muscle, including the thoracoacromial, lateral thoracic, and subscapular arteries. The axillary vein mirrors the artery, receiving tributaries from its branches before continuing as the subclavian vein. Enlarged axillary lymph nodes can indicate the spread of cancer from breast or other sites.

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F-med440 imam
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  • Introduction to The Axilla: An overview and introduction to the axilla as a region of the body.
  • Axilla Overview: Discusses the basic anatomy of the axilla, its shape, and functional importance.
  • Boundaries of the Axilla: Details the anatomical boundaries of the axilla, describing the apex, base, and walls.
  • Content of The Axilla: Covers the various contents of the axilla including nerves, vessels, and nodes.
  • Axillary Artery: Describes the origin, path, and divisions of the axillary artery within the region.
  • Axillary Vein: Explores the formation, path, and functional aspects of the axillary vein.
  • Clinical Application: Examines clinical considerations and relevance of the axillary structures.
  • Axillary Lymph Nodes: Discusses the lymph nodes in the axillary region and their role in the lymphatic system.
  • Enlargement of Axillary Lymph Nodes: Covers the potential causes and implications of lymph node enlargement in the axillary area.

The Axilla

Norah Almudawi
Axilla

• It is a space between
the upper par t of the
arm and the side of the
chest

•Shape: Pyramid

• Transmit major
neurovascular structures
between neck & thorax Apex
and upper limbs.

• Axilla has an apex, a Anterior wall


base and four walls.
Posterior wall

Medial wall

Lateral wall
Boundaries of the axilla

Apex Base ( floor)


Called Cervicoaxillary Formed of :
canal 1-Axillary fascia .
Directed upward 2-Skin of the arm pit.

Bounded by 3 bones :
1- Anterior: Clavicle
2- Posterior:Upper
border of the scapula
3- Medial:Outer border
of the 1st rib
Boundaries of the axilla

Anterior Wall Posterior Wall Medial Wall Lateral Wall

1. Pectoralis major . 1.Subscapularis. 1- Serratus 1- Coracobrachialis.


2. Pectoralis minor . 2.Latissimus dorsi. anterior. 2- Biceps brachii.
3. Subclavius muscles . 3.Teres major 2- Upper 4-5 ribs 3- Bicepital groove of the
4. Clavipectoral fascia. muscles. & Intercostal humerus
muscles .
Boundaries of
the axilla
Content of The Axilla

❖ Cords and branches of brachial plexus

❖ Axillar y ar ter y and its branches

❖ Axillar y vein and its tributaries

❖ Axillary lymph nodes

❖ Axillar y fat

❖ Loose connecti ve tissue

❖Axillar y sheath

➢ The axillary artery + the cords


and branches of brachial plexus
are enclosed in CT called Axillary
sheath
Axillary artery
•O r i g i n : c o n t inua t io n of t h e s u b c l a v ia n a r t e r y a t t h e o u t e r b o rd e r of
t h e 1 str i b

•C o u r s e :

• E n d : C o n t in ue s a s t h e b r a c hi a l a r t e r y a t t h e o u t e r b o rd e r of
t h e t e re s m a j o r

• D i v i d e d i n t o 3 pa r t s b y t h e o v e r l y in g p e c t o r a l is m i n o r m u s c le

• 1 st p a r t : p ro x im a l t o t h e p e c t o r a l is m i n o r

• 2 n d p a r t : i n f e r io r t o t h e p e c t o r a l is m i n o r

• 3 rd p a r t : d i s t a l t o t h e p e c t o r a l i s m i n o r

• T h ro u g ho ut i t s c o u r s e , i t i s c l o s e l y r e l a t e d t o t h e c o rd s of t h e
b r a c hi a l p l e x u s a n d t h e i r b r a nc he s a n d i s e n c l o s e d w i t h t h e m
i n a c o n n e c t i v e t i s s ue s h e a t h c a l l e d t h e a x i l l a r y s h e a t h .

• I f t h i s s h e a t h i s t r a c e d u p w a rd i n t o t h e ro o t of t h e n e c k , i t i s
s e e n t o b e c o n t inu o us w i t h t h e p re v e r t e b r a l f a s c ia .
Branches of the Axillary artery

1st Part 2nd Part 3 rd Part

extends from the lateral it lies behind the This extends from the lower
border of the 1st rib to pectoralis minor border of the pectoralis
the upper border of the muscle. minor to the lower border of
pectoralis minor. the teres major muscle.
1- Highest thoracic 1. Thoracoacromial 1. Subscapular artery:
artery: is small and runs artery: runs along the lower border
along the upper border of immediately divides of the subscapularis muscle.
the pectoralis minor. into terminal branches
(acromial, pectoral, 2. Anterior and posterior
clavicular & deltoid circumflex humeral
Branches branches). arteries:
wind around the front and
2. Lateral thoracic the back of the surgical neck
artery: of the humerus, respectively.
runs along the lower
border of the pectoralis
minor.
▪ S u b s c a p u l a r a r t e r y: b ra n c h f r o m 3 rd p a r t a n d i t i s
t h e l a r g e s t b ra n c h o f t h e a x i l l a r y a r t e r y.

▪ D i vi d e d i n t o :

1-Circumflex scapular:

- I t p a r t i ci p a te s i n a n a s t o m o s e s a r o u n d t h e

s c a p ul a .

2 - T h o ra c o d o r s a l a r t e r i es :

- I t p a r t i ci p a te s i n a n a s t o mo s e s a r o u n d t h e

scapula.

t h o ra c o d o r s a l a r t e r y c o n t i n ue s t h e g e n e ra l c o u r s e o f t h e
s u b s c a p ul a r t o t h e i n f e r i o r a n g l e o f t h e s c a p u l a a n d
s u p p l i e s a d j a c e n t m u s c l e s p r i n ci pa l l y l a t i s si mu s d o r s i .
Axillary Vein

•Or igin: It is formed at the lower border of the teres


major muscle by the union of the venae comitantes of
the brachial ar ter y and the basilic vein.

•Course:

• R u n s wi th th e a xi l l a r y a r ter y

• D i v i d ed i n to 3 s ec ti o n s th a t c o rres po n d to th e pa r ts
of th e a xi l l a r y a r ter y ( th e d i s ta l en d i s th e f i r s t pa r t)

• Th e ve i n r e ce i ves tr i b u ta rie s , w h i ch co r r e s p o nd
to th e b ra n ch e s o f th e a xi l lar y a r te r y w i th a f e w
e xce p ti on s , a n d th e ce p h a l ic ve i n .

• E n d : Co n ti n u es a s th e s u bc l a vi an vei n a t
th e l a tera l bo rd er of th e 1 st ri b
Clinical application
Axillary Lymph Nodes

❖
Enlargement of axillary lymph nodes

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