Anatomy of axilla

1. 1
AXILLA
Maj Rishi Pokhrel
Department of anatomy
NAIHSwww.slideshare.net

2. INTRODUCTION
• ‘Truncated pyramidal’
space between upper
part of arm and chest
wall
• Has 4 walls, apex, base

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5. SP DEPT OF ANATOMY AFMC 5

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Apex
•Truncated
•Directed upwards and medially
•Communicates with neck via cervico axillary canal
•Formation
• ant – clavicle
• post – sup border of scapula
• medial – outer border 1st rib

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cervico axillary canal

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Structures passing through apex
• Axillary vessels
• Cords of BP
• Long thoracic N
• LN efferents

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Base
•Concavity directed below
•Boundaries
• Ant : anterior axillary fold
• Post: posterior axillary fold
• Medial: Chest wall
• Lateral: arm
•Formed by: skin, superficial fasciae, & deep fascia
•Deep fascia: axillary fascia extending between Pectoralis Major
(ant fold) and Lat Dorsi & Teres Major (post fold)
•Supported by Suspensory lig of Axilla

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Anterior wall
Formed of
• clavicle
• Pectoralis major &
minor
• Subclavius
• Clavipectoral fascia
• Suspensory
ligament of
axilla

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Post wall
–Formed by
• Subscapularis
• Teres major
• Lattisimus dorsi

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subscapularis
teres major
lattisimus dorsi

16. • Upper 4 ribs with
intercostal muscles
• Serratus ant (upper
portion) with fascia
• Long thoracic nerve
deep to fascia
• Intercostobrachial
nerve pierce medial
wall
Medial wall

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• Bicipital groove of
humerus with
• Teres Major
• Lattisimus dorsi
• Pectoralis major
• Long head of biceps
• Short head of
biceps
• Coracobrachialis
Lateral wall

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Contents
• Axillary artery and branches
• Axillary vein & tributaries
• Brachial Plexus cords &
branches
• Long Thoracic nerve
• Intercostobrachial N
• Axillary fat
• Areolar tissue
• Axillary LN
• Axillary tail of breast

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Axillary vein

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Axillary artery

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Axillary lymph nodes
• 20-30 in number, embedded in the fibro fatty tissue of Axilla
• Drain
• Lateral part of breast
• Superficial lymphatic vessels from thoraco lumbar
region above level of umbilicus
• Whole of upper limb except lateral side of arm, forearm,
hand.

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Axillary lymph nodes
• ANTERIOR; (pectoral) along medial wall with Lateral
Thoracic vein
• POSTERIOR: (Subscapular ) along medial wall with
Subscapular vein
• LATERAL: along medial side of axillary vein
• CENTRAL: in Centre of Axillary fat, Related to
Intercostobrachial N
• APICAL: at apex of Axilla
• INFRACLAVICULAR: on Clavipectoral fascia in
deltopectoral groove

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