{"id":4348,"date":"2021-02-06T18:05:33","date_gmt":"2021-02-06T17:05:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/meddists.com\/learn\/pre-clinical\/anatomy\/upper-limb\/neurovasculature\/axillary-artery-and-vein\/"},"modified":"2021-02-06T18:07:00","modified_gmt":"2021-02-06T17:07:00","slug":"axillary-artery-and-vein","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/meddists.com\/learn\/pre-clinical\/anatomy\/upper-limb\/neurovasculature-of-the-upper-limb\/axillary-artery-and-vein\/","title":{"rendered":"Axillary artery and vein"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><div class=\"intro\">The axillary artery and vein are major vessels that supply and drain blood to and from the upper limb.<\/div><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n<span class=\"block-heading\" id=\"header_1\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"title_collection title1\">Axillary artery<\/h2>\n<\/span><span class=\"block-content\" id=\"contents_1\">\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The axillary artery begins at the <strong>lateral border of the 1st rib<\/strong> as the continuation of the <strong>subclavian artery<\/strong> and ends at the lower border of teres major muscle.<\/li><li>Through its course, it can be found posterior to the pectoral muscles within the shoulder and upper arm.<\/li><li>At its end, lateral to the teres major muscle, it becomes the <strong>brachial artery<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<\/span><span class=\"block-heading\" id=\"header_2\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"title_collection title2\">Parts<\/h3>\n<\/span><span class=\"block-content\" id=\"contents_2\">\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The axillary artery is divided into three parts based on its position with the overlying pectoralis minor muscle:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The <strong>first (proximal)<\/strong> <strong>part <\/strong>comes before (superomedial to) the pectoralis minor muscle<\/li><li>The <strong>second (middle)<\/strong> <strong>part <\/strong>is beneath (posterior to) the pectoralis minor muscle<\/li><li>The <strong>third (distal)<\/strong> <strong>part <\/strong>comes after (inferolateral to) the pectoralis minor muscle<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<\/span><span class=\"block-heading\" id=\"header_3\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"title_collection title2\">Branches<\/h3>\n<\/span><span class=\"block-content\" id=\"contents_3\">\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Six major branches arise throughout the course of the axillary artery:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>In the first part, the<strong> superior thoracic<\/strong> <strong>artery<\/strong><\/li><li>In the second part:<ol><li><strong>Thoracoacromial<\/strong> <strong><strong>artery<\/strong><\/strong>, passing medially to the pectoralis minor muscle <\/li><li><strong>Lateral thoracic <strong>artery<\/strong><\/strong>, passing laterally to the pectoralis minor muscle<\/li><\/ol><\/li><li>In the third part:<ol><li><strong>Subscapular<\/strong> <strong>artery<\/strong> (the largest branch)<\/li><li><strong>Anterior circumflex humeral<\/strong> <strong>artery<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Posterior circumflex<\/strong> <strong>humeral<\/strong> <strong>artery<\/strong><\/li><\/ol><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It would be helpful to remember the number of branches based on the number of the part (first part = 1 branch, second part = 2 branches, third part = 3 branches).<\/p>\n\n\n<\/span><span class=\"block-heading\" id=\"header_4\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"title_collection title3\">Superior thoracic artery<\/h4>\n<\/span><span class=\"block-content\" id=\"contents_4\">\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A small branch supplying the upper regions of the medial and anterior axillary walls. It runs inferiorly and medially, behind the axillary vein.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/span><span class=\"block-heading\" id=\"header_5\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"title_collection title3\">Thoracoacromial artery<\/h4>\n<\/span><span class=\"block-content\" id=\"contents_5\">\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A short and wide artery (hence, sometimes known as the thoracoacromial trunk) arching around the upper border of the pectoralis minor muscle. It penetrates the costocoracoid membrane and then terminates by splitting into four branches, all supplying the anterior axillary wall and associated regions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Pectoral<\/li><li>Deltoid<\/li><li>Clavicular<\/li><li>Acromial<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n<\/span><span class=\"block-heading\" id=\"header_6\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"title_collection title3\">Lateral thoracic artery<\/h4>\n<\/span><span class=\"block-content\" id=\"contents_6\">\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A descending branch that runs adjacent to the lateral border of pectoralis minor muscle, following it onto the thoracic wall.&nbsp;It supplies the medial and anterior walls of the axilla.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While commonly arising from the anterior surface of the second part of the axillary artery, it may arise from the thoracoacromial, suprascapular, or subscapular branches instead. <\/p>\n\n\n<\/span><span class=\"block-heading\" id=\"header_7\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"title_collection title3\">Subscapular artery<\/h4>\n<\/span><span class=\"block-content\" id=\"contents_7\">\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The largest branch of the axillary artery. It descends and runs along the lateral border of the subscapularis to provide the majority of the blood supply of the posterior axillary wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It terminates as two branches:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Circumflex scapular branch<ul><li>Curves posteriorly around the lateral border of the scapula to pass between the subscapularis and the teres major. <\/li><li>Posteriorly, it passes inferior to the teres minor muscle (sometimes penetrating it) to enter the <strong>infraspinous fossa<\/strong>.<\/li><li>It is part of an anastomotic vascular network surrounding the scapula, supplying muscles on the dorsum of the scapula<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>Thoracodorsal branch<ul><li>Continues the general course of the subscapular artery to the inferior angle of the scapula and supplies adjacent muscles (mainly latissimus dorsi)<\/li><li>It is part of an anastomotic vascular network surrounding the scapula.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The circumflex humeral arteries surround the humeral surgical neck to anastomose with each other, providing rich blood supply to the region.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/span><span class=\"block-heading\" id=\"header_8\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"title_collection title3\">Anterior circumflex humeral artery<\/h4>\n<\/span><span class=\"block-content\" id=\"contents_8\">\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Passes laterally, deep to the coracobrachialis and biceps brachii; it gives off branches that supply the surrounding tissues, including the gleno\u00adhumeral joint and the head of the humerus.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/span><span class=\"block-heading\" id=\"header_9\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"title_collection title3\">Posterior circumflex humeral artery<\/h4>\n<\/span><span class=\"block-content\" id=\"contents_9\">\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Together with the axillary nerve, it passes medially through the posterior wall of the axilla through the quadrangular space to supply the sur\u00adrounding muscles and the glenohumeral joint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The anterior and posterior circumflex arteries will anastomose around the surgical neck of the humerus, providing it with excellent blood supply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n<\/span><span class=\"block-heading\" id=\"header_10\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"title_collection title1\">Axillary vein<\/h2>\n<\/span><span class=\"block-content\" id=\"contents_10\">\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This large vein is formed by the joining of the brachial vein (the accompanying veins of the brachial artery) and the basilic vein at the inferior margin of the teres major.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The vein passes through the axilla medial and anterior to the axillary artery to become the <strong>subclavian vein<\/strong> (as the vessel crosses the lateral border of the 1st rib at the axillary inlet).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The axillary vein has three tributaries, which generally correspond to the three parts of the axillary artery; the exceptions are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The <strong>thoracoacromial vein<\/strong> or its tributaries, which drain independently into the axillary vein or empties into the cephalic vein<\/li><li>The <strong>thoracoepigastric vein<\/strong> or its tributaries, which drain into the axillary vein (directly or indirectly).<\/li><li>The&nbsp;<strong>cephalic vein<\/strong>&nbsp;ascends from the arm and passes along the deltopectoral groove, reaching the midclavicular line, and then pierces the <strong>clavipectoral fascia<\/strong>, to join the axillary vein, at the <strong>clavipectoral triangle<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/span><div id=\"the_titles\" style=\"display:none;\"><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Axillary artery<\/h2><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Parts<\/h3><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Branches<\/h3><h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Superior thoracic artery<\/h4><h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Thoracoacromial artery<\/h4><h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lateral thoracic artery<\/h4><h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Subscapular artery<\/h4><h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Anterior circumflex humeral artery<\/h4><h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Posterior circumflex humeral artery<\/h4><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Axillary vein<\/h2><\/div><\/p>\n<div id=\"the_titles\" style=\"display:none;\"><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":3470,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-4348","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Axillary artery and vein &#8211; 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