The document provides an overview of the anatomy of the axilla region. It discusses the boundaries and walls of the axilla, including the anterior, medial, posterior and lateral walls. It describes the main neurovascular structures in the axilla, including the axillary artery and its branches, the axillary vein and its tributaries, and the axillary lymph nodes. It also discusses the contents of the axilla, noting the axillary vessels, brachial plexus, and axillary lymph nodes are surrounded by the axillary sheath.

1. UL: Axilla
Lecture 2
Maryna Kornieieva, PhD, MD
Asst. of Clinical Anatomy

2. Learning objectives:
1. External and internal
boundaries of axilla
2. Anterior
wall of axilla
3. Medial
wall of axilla
4. Posterior
wall of axilla
5. Lateral wall
of axilla
6. Axillary artery and
anastomoses around scapula
7. Axillary vein and
its tributaries
8. Axillary lymph nodes,
drainage of the breast

3. Location and Boundaries of Axilla
Anterior axillary fold
Posterior axillary fold
Chest wall
1st rib
Clavicle
Scapula
Cervico-
axillary
canalApex
Base

4. Anterior Wall of Axilla
Pectoralis
major
Pectoralis
minor

5. Medial and Lateral Walls of Axilla
Thoracic wall and
serratus anterior
Intertubercular
groove of the
humerus
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
M L

6. Posterior Wall of Axilla
Subscapularis
Teres major
Latissimus dorsi
Long head of triceps
Quadrangular
space
Triangular
space
Triangular
interval

7. Neurovascular Tracts of Shoulder

8. Contents of Axilla
Axillary artery
Axillary vein
Axillary lymph nodes
Brachial
plexus
The axillary sheath is a connective tissue structure that
surrounds the axillary vessels and brachial plexus.

9. Axillary
Artery
1st rib
Pectoralis minor
Teres major
Brachial a.
Subclavian a.
I
II
III

10. Branches of the 1st segment of AA
Superior Thoracic Artery
Supplies:
• subclavius,
• muscles in the 1st
and 2nd intercostal
spaces,
• superior slips of
serratus anterior,
• pectoral muscles

11. Branches of the 2nd segment of AA
Thoraco-acromial artery Lateral Thoracic artery
S: pectoralis mm,
serratus anterior, and
intercostal muscles,
the axillary lymph
nodes, and the lateral
aspect of the breast.
Acromial
Deltoid
Pectoral
Clavicular

12. Branches of the 3rd segment of AA
Circumflex humeral arteries: anterior and posterior
A P
Supply: Deltoid
Teres M&M
Long head of triceps
HG joint

13. Branches of the 3rd segment of AA
Subscapular artery
1) circumflex scapular
2) thoracodorsal
Circumflex
scapula artery
anastomosis
with the
suprascapular
artery around
the neck of the
scapula.
Thoracodorsal
artery anastomoses
with the dorsal
scapular artery
along the medial
border of the
scapula.
branches
1
2
S: Latissimus Dorsi
S: Supra/infraspinatus

14. Axillary Artery Bleeding

15. Axillary Vein
Cephalic v.
Basilic v.
Axillary v.
Subclavian v.
Basilic v.
Cephalic v.
Deep Brachial vv.
Ant/post
circumflex
humerus vv.
Subscapular v.
Lateral thoracic v.

16. Axillary Lymph Nodes

17. Enlargement of Axillary Lymph Nodes
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
Excision and pathologic analysis of axillary lymph nodes are
necessary for staging and management of the breast cancer.
Level I
Level II
Level III Level IV
UM
LM
UL
LL

18. Summary
Clavipectoral
triangle
Ant. comp.
of the arm
Post. comp.
of the arm
Cervico-axillary canal
Triangular
interval
Scapular
region
Pectoral
region
Quadrangular/
triangular space
Neck
Axillary artery
Axillary vein
Axillary lymph nodes

19. Thank you for your attention!!!