Gross Anatomy - Axilla and Brachial Plexus Exam With
complete solution–Expert Verified | Latest Questions 2025
What is the axilla? - Pyramidal space that serves as passageway for neurovasculature
What are the contents of the axilla? - Axillary a. and branches
Axillary v. and tributaries
Brachial plexus
Lymph Nodes
Axillary a. (origin, location and termination) - Continuation of subclavian a. beginning at
1st rib
Lies deep to pectoralis minor m.
Termination ends at inferior border of teres major m. becoming the brachial a.
Axillary a. parts - Suprapectoral part (1 branch)
Retropectoral part (2 branches - deep to pectoralis minor m.)
Infrapectoral part (3 branches)
What is the branch of the Axillary artery at the 1st part? - Superior thoracic artery
What are the branches of the Thoracoacromial trunk? - Acromial branch, Clavicular
branch, Deltoid branch, and Pectoral branch
What are the branches of the Axillary artery at the 2nd part? - Lateral thoracic artery
and Thoracoacromial trunk
What are the branches of the Axillary artery at the 3rd part? - Subscapular, Anterior
humeral circumflex, and Posterior humeral circumflex aa.
Axillary Vein (formation, location, termination) - Formation: union of basilic v. and
brachial vv.
Location: Anteromedial to axillary A.
Termination: Lateral border of 1st Rib becoming subclavian v.
Axillary Vein (Tributaries) - Veins that correspond to branches of axillary a.
Cephalic v.
Anterior Wall of Axilla - pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, and subclavius mm.
Posterior Wall of Axilla - subscapularis, latissimus dorsi, teres major mm.
Medial Wall of Axilla - Ribs 1-4, intercostal and serratus anterior mm.
Lateral Wall of Axilla - Intertubercular groove on the humerus
, Apex of Axilla - clavicle, superior part of scapula, Rib 1
Base of Axilla - Skin, subcutaneous tissue of armpit, axillary fascia
Where do axillary lymphatics receive lymph from? - Majority of breast (75%)
Upper limb
Lateral chest wall
Abdominal wall (above umbilicus)
What are the 5 groups of lymph nodes in the axilla - Pectoral
Subscapular
Humeral
Central
Apical
What do the pectoral lymph nodes drain? - Ant. thoracic wall and breast
What do the subscapular lymph nodes drain? - Post. thoracic wall and scapula
What do the humeral lymph nodes drain? - majority of upper arm
What do the central lymph nodes drain - pectoral, subscapular and humeral lymph
nodes
What do the apical lymph nodes drain - Central lymph nodes
What lymph nodes drain the axillary nodes but do not exist in the axilla? -
Supraclavicular lymph nodes
Anastomosis - a cross-connection between vessels
Scapular Anastomosis - Dorsal Scapular, Suprascapular, and Circumflex Scapular aa.
Importance of the scapular anastomosis - Provides collateral circulation to upper limb if
issues are present in proximal parts of axillary a.
Best case scenario of scapular anastomosis - slows occlusions (stenosis)
Worst case scenario of scapular anastomosis - Sudden occlusion
Surgical ligation of axillary a between subscapular and brachial aa.
Stenosis - Narrowing or constricting (i.e. of a blood vessel)
Mastectomy - Surgical removal of a breast
-Modified: only breast and axillary nodes
complete solution–Expert Verified | Latest Questions 2025
What is the axilla? - Pyramidal space that serves as passageway for neurovasculature
What are the contents of the axilla? - Axillary a. and branches
Axillary v. and tributaries
Brachial plexus
Lymph Nodes
Axillary a. (origin, location and termination) - Continuation of subclavian a. beginning at
1st rib
Lies deep to pectoralis minor m.
Termination ends at inferior border of teres major m. becoming the brachial a.
Axillary a. parts - Suprapectoral part (1 branch)
Retropectoral part (2 branches - deep to pectoralis minor m.)
Infrapectoral part (3 branches)
What is the branch of the Axillary artery at the 1st part? - Superior thoracic artery
What are the branches of the Thoracoacromial trunk? - Acromial branch, Clavicular
branch, Deltoid branch, and Pectoral branch
What are the branches of the Axillary artery at the 2nd part? - Lateral thoracic artery
and Thoracoacromial trunk
What are the branches of the Axillary artery at the 3rd part? - Subscapular, Anterior
humeral circumflex, and Posterior humeral circumflex aa.
Axillary Vein (formation, location, termination) - Formation: union of basilic v. and
brachial vv.
Location: Anteromedial to axillary A.
Termination: Lateral border of 1st Rib becoming subclavian v.
Axillary Vein (Tributaries) - Veins that correspond to branches of axillary a.
Cephalic v.
Anterior Wall of Axilla - pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, and subclavius mm.
Posterior Wall of Axilla - subscapularis, latissimus dorsi, teres major mm.
Medial Wall of Axilla - Ribs 1-4, intercostal and serratus anterior mm.
Lateral Wall of Axilla - Intertubercular groove on the humerus
, Apex of Axilla - clavicle, superior part of scapula, Rib 1
Base of Axilla - Skin, subcutaneous tissue of armpit, axillary fascia
Where do axillary lymphatics receive lymph from? - Majority of breast (75%)
Upper limb
Lateral chest wall
Abdominal wall (above umbilicus)
What are the 5 groups of lymph nodes in the axilla - Pectoral
Subscapular
Humeral
Central
Apical
What do the pectoral lymph nodes drain? - Ant. thoracic wall and breast
What do the subscapular lymph nodes drain? - Post. thoracic wall and scapula
What do the humeral lymph nodes drain? - majority of upper arm
What do the central lymph nodes drain - pectoral, subscapular and humeral lymph
nodes
What do the apical lymph nodes drain - Central lymph nodes
What lymph nodes drain the axillary nodes but do not exist in the axilla? -
Supraclavicular lymph nodes
Anastomosis - a cross-connection between vessels
Scapular Anastomosis - Dorsal Scapular, Suprascapular, and Circumflex Scapular aa.
Importance of the scapular anastomosis - Provides collateral circulation to upper limb if
issues are present in proximal parts of axillary a.
Best case scenario of scapular anastomosis - slows occlusions (stenosis)
Worst case scenario of scapular anastomosis - Sudden occlusion
Surgical ligation of axillary a between subscapular and brachial aa.
Stenosis - Narrowing or constricting (i.e. of a blood vessel)
Mastectomy - Surgical removal of a breast
-Modified: only breast and axillary nodes
