AXILLARY ARTERY

By

Dr.R.G.LOKRE
 Specific learning objectives
Define axillary artery

Explain the course of the axillary artery

Explain the relations of the axillary artery

list the branches of axillary artery

Explain the branches of the axillary artery

Explain its applied anatomy

The axillary artery
The axillary artery is a large artery that
travels through the axilla.

It is responsible for carrying oxygen-

rich blood to the upper limb,

as well as to parts of the

musculocutaneous system of the
scapula
and
upper lateral part of thorax.
• Throughout its course the artery is
accompanied infero-medially by
the axillary vein & closely related to
the cords of brachial plexus & there
branches

• The neurovascular bundle formed

by the artery ,vein and the cords of
the brachial plexus are enveloped
by the axillary fascia derived from
deep cervical fascia

• The fascia is then attached to the

suspensory ligaments of the axilla
(a continuation of the clavipectoral
fascia) for additional protection.
 Origin and termination of axillary artery
• The axillary artery begins at the
lateral (outer ) border of the first
rib as a continuation of the third
part of the subclavian artery into
the axilla.

• It terminates at the lower border

of the teres major muscle and

• Then continues downward in the

arm as the brachial artery.
• Parts of the axillary artery
The axillary artery is customarily divided into
three parts;

• The pectoralis minor muscle crosses front

of the artery and divides it into three parts
• 1st part
• It lies between the lateral border of the first
rib and the medial border of the pectoralis
minor muscle.

• 2nd part
• Posterior to pectoralis minor

• 3rd part
• Distal to pectoralis minor
• from lateral part of pectoralis
minor to inferior border of teres
major
 Relations of Axillary artery
• The axillary vein lies
medial to axillary artery
throughout its course

• But the relations of cords

of brachial plexus and
there branches are
different for each of the
three parts of the artery .
 Relations of Axillary artery
• Relations of first part
• The Anterior relations
• Skin ,superficial fascia with
platysma muscle and
supraclavicular nerve
• The pectoralis major & the
covering pectoral fascia
• The loop of communication
between lateral & medial
pectoral nerve
• Crossed by cephalic & Thoraco-
acromial veins .
The posterior relations
• Serratus anterior first & second
digitations
• Medial cord of the brachial
plexus
• The long thoracic nerve

The medial relations of first part

• The axillary vein

The lateral relations

• The lateral & posterior cords of
the brachial plexus
 Relations of second part
The anterior relations
• The pectoralis minor , the pectoralis
major .the covering fascia & skin

• The posterior relations

• The posterior cord of the brachial
plexus , the subscapularis muscle ,

• The medial relations

• Medial cord of brachial plexus &
• Axillary vein

• The lateral relations

• The lateral cord of the brachial plexus
 Relations of Third part
• The anterior relations

• The Pectoralis major for a short

distance .
• lower down the artery is crosses
by the medial root of the median
nerve .

• The posterior relations

• Radial nerve, Axillary nerve
• Subscapularis muscle in upper
part &
• Teries major muscles in lower
part
• 3rd part
• The medial relations

• Axillay vein
• Medial cutaneous nerve of
fore arm
• Ulnar nerve

• The lateral relations

• musculocutaneous nerve
• The coracobrachialis , the
biceps , and the humerus .
 Branches of Axillary artery
• First part
1. Superior thoracic artery

• Second part
1. Thoraco-acromial artery
2. Lateral thoracic artery

• Third part
1. Subscapular artery
2. Anterior circumflex humeral
artery
3.Posterior circumflex humeral
artery
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• Superior thoracic artery

• Thoracoacromiol artery
• Lateral thoracic artery
• Subscapular artery
• Anterior circumflex humeral artery
• Posterior circumflex humera artery
 Branches of the axillary artery
• Superior thoracic artery or Highest
thoracic artery:

• A very small branch

• Arises near the Subclavius
• It passes between the Pectoralis
major and minor muscles and supplies
these muscles
• and to the Medial wall of axilla

• And anastomoses with the internal

thoracic & upper intercostal arteries

•
Thoraco-acromial artery or Acromiothoracic artery
Arises from the anterior surface of
the second part of the axillary
artery
Pierces the clavipectoral fascia

It gives 4 branches immediately

after its origin from second part of
axillary artery

Four branches
1. Pectoral branch
2. Acromial branch
3. Deltoid branch
4. Clavicular branch -
Lateral thoracic artery:
• lateral thoracic artery (or
external mammary artery)
• It emerges at and runs along
the inferior border of
Pectoralis minor
• It supplies blood to lateral
structures of thorax and
breast.

• In females it gives an external

mammary branch to supply
the breast.
 Alar thoracic artery
• Occasionally arises
from second part of
axillary artery

• Supplies the axillary

lymph nodes and
axillary fat
• Subscapular artery:
• It is the largest branch of
axillary artery.

• It follows the subscapularis

muscle to inferior angle of
scapula where it anastomoses
with lateral thoracic and
intercostals arteries.

• It gives a circumflex scapular

artery &

• forms the arterial

anastomoses around scapula.
 Anterior circumflex
humeral artery
• It is considerably smaller than the
posterior circumflex artery.
• Passes deep to the
Coracobrachialis and short head
of biceps

• It gives ascending branch which

passes in bicipital groove &
supplies the shoulder joint and
the head of the humerus.

• It takes part in the formation of

anastomoses around the shoulder
joint
 Posterior circumflex
humeral artery:
• It passes through the quadrangular
space along with axillary nerve and
winds around the surgical neck of
humerus.

• It gives descending branch

•
• It supplies the deltoid muscle and
shoulder joint.

• It takes part in the formation of

anastomoses around shoulder joint
 Applied anatomy of axillary artery
• Axillary artery pulsation can be felt against
the lower part of the lateral wall of axilla
• In order to check bleeding from the distal
part of the limb ( in injuries ,operations and
amputations) the artery can be effectively
compressed against the humerus in the
lower part of the lateral wall of axilla

• Next to the popliteal artery ,the axillary

artery is the second most common artery
of the body to be lacerated violent
movements

• It is ruptured during reduction of an old

dislocation of shoulder