Variation of branching pattern of axillary artery

Bilateral variations of the branches of the axillary artery were found on routine anatomical dissection in a 64-year-old male cadaver in the Anatomy Department of R. G. Kar Medical College, Kolkata. From the first part superior thoracic artery, from the second part only thoracoacromial artery and from the third part anterior circumflex humeral artery and a common trunk arose, this common trunk gave four branches namely muscular branch, lateral thoracic artery, subscapular artery and posterior circumflex humeral artery. Thoracodorsal nerve accompanied the lateral thoracic artery instead of subscapular artery. The relationship of the axillary artery with axillary vein and cords of brachial plexus were as usual. Knowledge regarding this kind of variations is important for surgeries and imaging procedures.