The Axilla Region
Anat 209
Z. M. BELLO
January, 2024
Introduction
• The axilla is an anatomical region
under the shoulder joint where the
arm connects to the shoulder
• It is an area that lies underneath
the glenohumeral joint, at the
junction of the upper limb and the
thorax
• It is a passageway by which
neurovascular and muscular
structures can enter and leave the
upper limb
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• There are five anatomic borders of the axilla
with an open base: the superior (open apex), Borders
anterior, posterior, lateral, medial walls
• The axilla looks to some extent like
a pyramid with its borders
• Apex – the clavicle, scapula, and first rib
comprise the superior wall or apex
• Lateral wall- the humerus, the
coracobrachialis, and the short head of the
biceps form the lateral wall
• Medial wall – consists of the serratus
anterior and the first four ribs
• Anterior wall – The pectoralis major and
minor muscles make up the anterior wall
• Posterior wall – formed by the
subscapularis, teres major and latissimus
dorsi 3
Contents
i. Axillary artery and its
branches –
• It is the main artery supplying the
upper limb
• It branches directly off of the
subclavian artery
• It has three parts; one medial to
the pectoralis minor, one
posterior to pectoralis minor, and
one lateral to pectoralis minor.
The medial and posterior parts
travel in the axilla
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ii. Axillary vein and its
tributaries – the main
vein draining the upper
limb, its two largest
tributaries are the
cephalic and basilic
veins.
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iii. Brachial plexus – a collection of
spinal nerves that form the
peripheral nerves of the upper limb
iv. Biceps brachii (short head) and
coracobrachialis – these muscle
tendons move through the axilla
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v. Axillary lymph nodes – they
filter lymphatic fluid that has
drained from the upper limb
and pectoral region
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Axilla Exits for Structures
There are passageways by which structures leave the axilla:
• Quadrangular space : This is a gap in the posterior wall of the axilla,
allowing access to the posterior arm and shoulder area
• Clavipectoral triangle: This is an opening in the anterior wall of the
axilla. It is bounded by the pectoralis major, deltoid, and clavicle
• The cephalic vein enters here, while the medial and lateral pectoral
nerves leave
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Clinical Anatomy
• Axillary lymph node biopsies are important in the diagnostic
evaluation of cancers such as breast cancer, lung cancer, and
melanoma
• The long thoracic nerve is close to the axillary lymph nodes and is at
risk of injury during lymph node removal or radical mastectomy
• Damage to the long thoracic nerve leads to a winged scapula, which is
a condition in which the scapula abnormally protrudes from the back
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