Axillary artery
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was changed:
The axillary artery represents the continuation of the subclavian artery asand is passes under the first rib and isa major artery of the upper limb.
Summary
- origin: continuation of the subclavian artery as it passes under the midpoint of the clavicle on the outer edge of the first rib
- termination: continues as the brachial artery at teres major
Gross Anatomy
The axillary artery enters the axilla by passing behind the midpoint of the clavicle on the outer edge of the first rib. The axillary artery is divided into three parts by pectoralis minor - the first part lies above, second part behind, and third part below pectoralis minor. The axillary vein is anterior to the artery.
First Part
The first part of the axillary artery has one branch:
- superior thoracic artery - runs anteriorly to supply pectoralis major and minor
Second Part
The second part of the axillary artery has two branches:
- thoracoacromial artery - runs over pectoralis minor to pierce the clavipectoral fascia and supply the clavicle, deltoid, acromion and pecs via its four terminal branches
- lateral thoracic artery - runs laterally along the lower border of pectoralis minor to supply serratus anterior and both pectoralis muscles, also an important blood supply to the breast in the female
Third Part
The third part of the axillary artery has three branches:
- subscapular artery - largest branch of the axillary artery, travels along the posterior wall of the axilla. Distally, it becomes the thoracodorsal artery, giving branches to serratus anterior. It then runs with the thoracodorsal nerve from the posterior cord to enter and supply the anterior edge of latissimus dorsi.
- anterior circumflex humerla artery - gives an ascending branch as an important supply to the head of the humerus, then passes around the surgical neck of humerus and anastamoses with the posterior circumflex artery
- posterior circumflex artery - passes through the posterior wall of the axilla with the axillary nerve to supply deltoid. It also supplies the triceps and glenohumeral joint.
Relation to Brachial Plexus
-<p>The <strong>axillary artery</strong> represents the continuation of the subclavian artery as is passes under the first rib and is major artery of the upper limb.</p><h4>Summary</h4><ul>-<li>-<strong>origin</strong>: continuation of the <a href="/articles/subclavian-artery" title="subclavian artery">subclavian artery</a> as it passes under the <a href="/articles/first-rib" title="first rib">first rib</a>-</li>-<li>-<strong>termination</strong>: continues as the <a href="/articles/brachial-artery" title="Brachial artery">brachial artery</a> at <a href="/articles/teres-major" title="Teres major">teres major</a> </li>-</ul>- +<p>The <strong>axillary artery</strong> represents the continuation of the subclavian artery and is a major artery of the upper limb.</p><h4>Summary</h4><ul>
- +<li>
- +<strong>origin</strong>: continuation of the <a href="/articles/subclavian-artery">subclavian artery</a> as it passes under the midpoint of the <a title="Clavicle" href="/articles/clavicle">clavicle</a> on the outer edge of the <a title="First rib" href="/articles/first-rib">first rib</a> </li>
- +<li>
- +<strong>termination</strong>: continues as the <a href="/articles/brachial-artery">brachial artery</a> at <a href="/articles/teres-major">teres major</a> </li>
- +</ul><h4>Gross Anatomy</h4><p>The axillary artery enters the <a title="Axilla" href="/articles/axilla">axilla</a> by passing behind the midpoint of the clavicle on the outer edge of the first rib. The axillary artery is divided into three parts by pectoralis minor - the first part lies above, second part behind, and third part below pectoralis minor. The axillary vein is anterior to the artery.</p><h5>First Part</h5><p>The first part of the axillary artery has one branch:</p><ul><li>superior thoracic artery - runs anteriorly to supply pectoralis major and minor</li></ul><h5>Second Part</h5><p>The second part of the axillary artery has two branches:</p><ul>
- +<li>thoracoacromial artery - runs over pectoralis minor to pierce the clavipectoral fascia and supply the clavicle, deltoid, acromion and pecs via its four terminal branches</li>
- +<li>lateral thoracic artery - runs laterally along the lower border of pectoralis minor to supply serratus anterior and both pectoralis muscles, also an important blood supply to the breast in the female</li>
- +</ul><h5>Third Part</h5><p>The third part of the axillary artery has three branches:</p><ul>
- +<li>subscapular artery - largest branch of the axillary artery, travels along the posterior wall of the axilla. Distally, it becomes the thoracodorsal artery, giving branches to serratus anterior. It then runs with the thoracodorsal nerve from the posterior cord to enter and supply the anterior edge of latissimus dorsi. </li>
- +<li>anterior circumflex humerla artery - gives an ascending branch as an important supply to the head of the humerus, then passes around the surgical neck of humerus and anastamoses with the posterior circumflex artery</li>
- +<li>posterior circumflex artery - passes through the posterior wall of the axilla with the axillary nerve to supply deltoid. It also supplies the triceps and glenohumeral joint. </li>
- +</ul><h4> Relation to Brachial Plexus</h4>
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