Sources
Help build the largest human-edited directory on the web.
Submit a site - Become an editor
Wikipedia. Licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
Are you an expert in this subject? Join the discussion and share your knowledge at Wikipedia.org.
Axillary artery
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Artery: Axillary artery | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Axillary artery and its branches - anterior view of right upper limb and thorax. (The widest artery running diagonally is labeled the axillary artery at the upper right, and the brachial artery at the lower left.) | |
 |
|
| The pectoralis minor is used as a landmark for dividing the axillary artery into three parts. | |
| Latin | arteria axillaris |
| Gray's | subject #149 586 |
| Supplies | axilla |
| Source | subclavian artery |
| Branches | Superior thoracic Thoracoacromial Lateral thoracic Subscapular Anterior circumflex humeral Posterior circumflex humeral |
| Vein | axillary vein |
| MeSH | Axillary+Artery |
| Dorlands/Elsevier | a_61/12153528 |
In human anatomy, the axillary artery is a large blood vessel that conveys oxygenated blood to the lateral aspect of the thorax, the axilla (armpit) and the upper limb. Its origin is at the lateral margin of the first rib, before which it is called the subclavian artery.
After passing the lower margin of teres major it becomes the brachial artery.
Contents |
The axillary artery is often referred to as having three parts, with these divisions based on its location relative to the pectoralis minor muscle, which is in front of the artery.
- First part - the part of the artery medial to pectoralis minor
- Second part - the part of the artery that lies behind pectoralis minor
- Third part - the part of the artery lateral to pectoralis minor
The axillary artery is accompanied by the axillary vein along its length.
In the axilla, it is surrounded by the brachial plexus. The second part of the axillary artery is the reference for the locational descriptions of the cords in the brachial plexus. For example, the posterior cord of the brachial plexus is so named because it lies posterior to the second part of the artery.
The axillary artery has several smaller branches. The branches can be remembered, in order, when traveling from the heart, with the mnemonic "Screw The Lawyers Save A Patient" or "She Tastes Like Sweet Apple Pie."[1] It should be noted that the origin of these branches is highly variable (e.g. the posterior and anterior circumflex arteries often have a common trunk). An arterial branch is named for its course, not its origin.
- First part (1 branch)
- Second part (2 branches)
- Third part (3 branches)
Continues as the brachial artery past the inferior border of the teres major.
The axillary artery may be safely clamped without endangering the arm, but only in a location proximal to the origin of the subscapular artery. The anastomotic network surrounding the scapula provides an alternate path for collateral circulation to the arm from arteries including the dorsal scapular artery and suprascapular artery.
 The veins of the right axilla, viewed from in front. |
 The right brachial plexus (infraclavicular portion) in the axillary fossa; viewed from below and in front. |
 Suprascapular and axillary nerves of right side, seen from behind. |
- Norman/Georgetown lesson3axillaryart&vein
- Duke Orthopedics axillary_artery
- SUNY Labs 05:06-0101 - "Axillary Region: Parts of the Axillary Artery"
- SUNY Figs 05:04-01 - "The axillary artery and its major branches shown in relation to major landmarks."