Axilla
| English: Axilla Latin: Fossa axillaris |
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Axilla
The axilla is the area that lies underneath the glenohumeral joint. It serves as a passageway for neurovascular and muscular structures to enter and leave the upper limb.
Boundaries of axilla
The anterior wall - pectorales major and minor.
The posterior wall - subscapularis above, the teres major and latissimus dorsi below.
Medial wall - first four ribs with their corresponding intercostales, and part of the serratus anterior.
Lateral wall - humerus, the coracobrachialis, and the biceps brachii.
Apex (axillary inlet)- it is formed by lateral border of the first rib, superior border of scapula, and the posterior border of the clavicle.
The apex decreases in size when the arm is fully abducted – leaving the contents of the axilla at risk of compression.
Contents
- Axillary artery (and branches) – the main artery supplying the upper limb.
- Axillary vein (and tributaries) – the main vein draining the upper limb with cephalic and basilic veins as its tributaries.
- Brachial plexus (and branches)
- Axillary lymph nodes – drains lymphatic fluid that has drained from the upper limb and pectoral region.
- Biceps brachii (short head) and coracobrachialis
Clinical significance includes thoracic outlet syndrome, lymph node dissection for breast cancer staging diagnosis and treatment and chest drain insertion.
Links
External links
- lesson3axilla at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University)
- teachmeanatomy.info/upper-limb/areas/axilla/
Bibliography
- PETROVICKY, Pavel, et al. Anatomie s topografií a klinickými aplikacemi : Sv. 1, Pohybové ústrojí. 1. edition. Martin : Osveta, 2001. 463 pp. ISBN 80-8063-046-1.
