Human Anatomy: Part 2 - K. A. Dyubenko, A. K. Kolomiytsev, Yu. B. Chaykovsky 2008

Special Part
Cardiovascular System, systema cardiovasculare - Special Part
Blood Vessels of the Systemic Circulation - Arteries of the Upper Limb - Axillary Artery

The axillary artery, a.axillaris (Fig. 34), is a continuation of the Subclavian Artery. Its upper boundary corresponds to the outer border of the first rib, and its lower boundary to the lower margin of the m.pectoralis major. When the arm is abducted, it has an average length of 9-10 cm. The axillary artery is located within the cavum axillare and is accompanied by the vein of the same name; together they are enclosed by three cords of the Brachial Plexus. The neurovascular bundle is surrounded by adipose tissue and Lymph Nodes. The axillary artery is projected onto the Skin along the anterior margin of the Hair line of the axillary fossa.

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Fig. 33. Internal thoracic artery, a.thoracica interna (after Toldt)

Fig. 34. Axillary artery, a.axillaris, and its branches

Branches of the axillary artery:

1. A. thoracica suprema;

2. A. thoracoacromialis;

3. A. thoracica lateralis;

4. A. subscapularis;

5. A. circumflexa humeri posterior;

6. A. circumflexa humeri anterior.

From a topoanatomical perspective, the branches of the a.axillaris are considered in relation to the three Triangles of the anterior wall of the cavum axillare (trigonum clavipectorale, pectorale, et subpectorale).

Branches in the trigonum clavipectorale:

1. Highest thoracic artery, a.thoracica suprema, supplies the m.subclavius, mm.pectoralis major et minor, m.serratus anterior, and the anterior intercostal spaces.

2. Thoracoacromial artery, a.thoracoacromialis, supplies the m.deltoideus, shoulder joint, and mm.pectoralis major et minor.

Branches in the trigonum pectorale:

Lateral thoracic artery, a.thoracica lateralis, descends along the anterior border of the m.serratus anterior, supplying the lateral chest wall and the mammary gland.

Branches in the trigonum subpectorale:

1. Subscapular artery, a.subscapularis, the largest branch, originates near the lower border of the m.subscapularis, approaches the foramen trilaterum, where it divides into the circumflex scapular artery, a.circumflexa scapulae (Fig. 34), and the thoracodorsal artery, a.thoracodorsalis, which runs along the lateral border of the scapula.

2. Posterior circumflex humeral artery, a.circumflexa humeri posterior (Fig. 34), most commonly arises from the axillary artery*, and less frequently from the subscapular artery. It passes through the foramen quadrilaterum, winds posteriorly around the surgical neck of the humerus, and supplies the deltoid Muscle, the shoulder joint, and its capsule.

3. Anterior circumflex humeral artery, a.circumflexa humeri anterior, arises from the posterolateral surface of the axillary artery, frequently at the same level as the Water/144.html">Origin of the subscapular artery. It winds anteriorly around the surgical neck of the humerus, anastomoses with the a.circumflexa humeri posterior, and supplies the shoulder joint.