AXILLA
Known as Armpit
Pyramidal region between upper thoracic wall & arm
Shape & size very depending on position of arm
Provides a passageway for structure: to pass between upper limb & neck
Consists of apex, base & 4 walls
Borders
Apex: 1st rib, scapula & clavicle
Base: skin of armpit, axillary fascia
Anterior wall → pectoralis major, pectoralis minor & fascia
Posterior wall → subscapularis, teres major, latissimus dorsi
Medial wall → 1-4 ribs, intercostal muscles, serratus anterior
Lateral wall → intertubercular groove
Contents:
Axillary artery
Axillary vein
Axillary lymph nodes
Lymphatic vessels
Infraclavicular branches of brachial plexus
ARTERIES
1st subclavian → passes under clavicle in armpit region → axillary artery (short & runs the
length of scapula)
As axillary artery exits armpit area → brachial artery
Most of brachial artery runs along anterior surface of arm
o But there is a branch - deep brachial artery - supplies muscles of arm
, VEINS
At armpit region: merging of brachial & basilic veins form → axillary vein
o Superficial cephalic vein does NOT merge at same point as basilic vein
Above axillary vein, cephalic vein meets up with it over the top of the shoulder
o Now it is subclavian vein & runs under clavicle
Subclavian vein joins up with internal & external Jugular veins draining the head to form
→ Brachiocephalic vein
o Large vein that runs from posterior to anterior over the 1st rib
Known as Armpit
Pyramidal region between upper thoracic wall & arm
Shape & size very depending on position of arm
Provides a passageway for structure: to pass between upper limb & neck
Consists of apex, base & 4 walls
Borders
Apex: 1st rib, scapula & clavicle
Base: skin of armpit, axillary fascia
Anterior wall → pectoralis major, pectoralis minor & fascia
Posterior wall → subscapularis, teres major, latissimus dorsi
Medial wall → 1-4 ribs, intercostal muscles, serratus anterior
Lateral wall → intertubercular groove
Contents:
Axillary artery
Axillary vein
Axillary lymph nodes
Lymphatic vessels
Infraclavicular branches of brachial plexus
ARTERIES
1st subclavian → passes under clavicle in armpit region → axillary artery (short & runs the
length of scapula)
As axillary artery exits armpit area → brachial artery
Most of brachial artery runs along anterior surface of arm
o But there is a branch - deep brachial artery - supplies muscles of arm
, VEINS
At armpit region: merging of brachial & basilic veins form → axillary vein
o Superficial cephalic vein does NOT merge at same point as basilic vein
Above axillary vein, cephalic vein meets up with it over the top of the shoulder
o Now it is subclavian vein & runs under clavicle
Subclavian vein joins up with internal & external Jugular veins draining the head to form
→ Brachiocephalic vein
o Large vein that runs from posterior to anterior over the 1st rib
