|
| |
Now that we have identified the structures making up
the various walls of the axilla, it is time to take a look at its contents. We
will first examine the blood vessels, then the nerves and finally, the
lymphatics, in that order.
Axillary Artery
| The axillary artery begins at the lateral border of
the first rib as a continuation of the subclavian artery. It changes its
name to brachial artery at lower (inferior) border of the teres major muscle.
For purposes of description, it is broken up into three parts by its
relation to the pectoralis minor muscle. The first part is between the
lateral border of the first rib and the medial border of the pectoralis
minor, the second part is behind the pectoralis minor and the third part is
between the lateral border of the pectoralis minor and the inferior border
of the teres major. |
 |
 |
Branches |
First Part
(1 branch) |
Second Part
(2 branches) |
Third Part
(3 branches) |
1 superior thoracic a.
(supreme thoracic a.)
(highest thoracic a.) |
2 thoracoacromial a.
3 lateral thoracic a. |
4 subscapular a.
5 anterior humeral circumflex a.
6 posterior humeral circumflex a. |
 | 4a thoracodorsal branch of subscapular |
| 4b scapular circumflex branch of subscapular |
| 8 brachial artery (continuation of the axillary) below lower
border of teres major (tm) |
|
Axillary Vein
The axillary vein lies along the medial side of the
artery and is a continuation of the basilic vein. It begins at the inferior
border of the teres major m. and ends at the lateral border of the first rib,
where it becomes the subclavian v. It receives tributaries that parallel the
branches of the axillary artery. The cephalic v. joins the axillary v. just
before it becomes the subclavian. We won't give any further details here. This
doesn't mean that it isn't important for maintaining proper function of the
upper limb. I may be injured in sports as well as when a person uses a crutch.
Penetrating wounds in the larger upper part are serious because air might enter
into the venous system.
Vena comitans
The veins that run with their corresponding arteries
are frequently multiple
(2 or 3 interconnected veins). This interconnected venous network is
called the vena commitantes. |
 |
| |
|
Potete
inviare a