The Study of Axillary Artery, Its Branching Pattern and Its Variations

INTRODUCTION: Axillary artery extends from outer border of first rib to inferior border of teres major. The pectoralis minor divides it into three parts. It gives six branches namely superior thoracic artery, thoraco-acromial artery, lateral thoracic artery, subscapular artery, anterior circumflex humeral artery and posterior circumflex humeral artery. MATERIALS AND METHOD: 40 upper limb specimens of embalmed adult human cadavers by conventional dissection method and 10 radiographic images of the patients after obtaining consent were studied. The length, course, number of named branches, origin of individual branches of axillary artery and its variation were studied. OBSERVATION: The average length of axillary artery was 10.45cm. In 60% of specimens six named branches were present. Superior thoracic artery , lateral thoracic artery and thoraco acromial trunk were absent in 2.5% of specimens. Lateral thoracic artery arose from common stem origin with subscapular and posterior circumflex humeral arteries in 2.5%. Subscapular artery arose from common stem origin with posterior circumflex humeral artery in 10% and along with anterior and posterior circumflex humeral arteries in 2.5%. In 2.5% subscapular artery arose from second part of axillary artery as common stem along with posterior circumflex humeral artery. Anterior circumflex humeral artery arose from common stem with posterior circumflex humeral artery in 10%. Posterior circumflex humeral artery arose from common stem with subscapular artery in 10%. Two anterior circumflex humeral arteries seen in 7.5%. CONCLUSION: Accurate knowledge of normal and variant anatomy of axillary artery is important for Surgeons, Orthopedicians, Vascular surgeons and Radiologists.