Axilla, Arm
& Cubital
Fossa
, Axilla
Axilla Overview
Transitional area between neck and arm Deltoid
Trapezius
Passage between axilla & adjacent regions
Formed by: Humerus, Clavicle, Scapula, Upper thoracic wall & muscles Pectoralis major
Teres minor
Irregularly shaped pyramidal space: Inlet, 4x sides, Floor (base) Teres major Pectoralis minor
Subscapularis
Muscles making up borders of Axilla: Trapezius, Deltoid, Pectoralis major, Pectoralis Latissimus dorsi
Serratus anterior
Anterior view
minor, Subscapularis, Teres minor, Teres major, Latissimus dorsi, Serratus anterior
Borders of Axilla
Anterior wall: Pectoralis major, Pectoralis minor, Subclavius, Clavipectoral fascia (btwn pec major & minor)
Lateral wall: Intertubercular sulcus
Medial wall: Upper thoracic wall, Serratus anterior muscle, Posterior wall,
Subscapularis, Teres major, Latissimus dorsi, Long head of triceps brachii
Floor: Skin of armpit
Inlet: Lateral border of rib I, Posterior surface of clavicle, Superior border of scapula up to coracoid process
Axillary Inlet
Superior most (Apex) aspect of Axilla,
Transition for structures between neck, lateral thorax, axilla & pec region
Continuous with neck (superiorly) & Lateral part of floor - arm
Humerus
Medial margin: Lateral border of rib 1
Anterior margin: Posterior surface of clavicle
Posterior margin: Superior border of the scapula up to coracoid process
Contents of Axilla
The Axilla contains: extensions/process of the breast, muscles, lymph nodes, vessels & brachial plexus
Axillary process of Breast
The axillary process of the breast is an extension of the breast into the Axilla region.
This extension should be palpated during breast exams and not overlooked.
Muscles in the Axilla
Biceps brachii muscle (Long & Short head)
Long & short meet/join at common belly
Coracobrachialis muscle
Lymph nodes in the Axilla
Apical nodes (At apex)
Central nodes
Drain towards Drain towards
Pectoral (anterior) nodes central nodes Subclavian lymph trunk
Humeral (lateral) nodes
Subscapular (posterior) nodes
The Axillary Vein
Cephallic vein lies within
Continuation of basilic vein (Drains posteromedial hand & forearm & penetrates fascia of deltopectoral groove &
middle arm to reach Axilla), Axillary Artery begins at lower part of teres major drains into Axillary vein
Passes medial to axillary artery in axilla —> Becomes subclavian vein @ lateral border of rib I
Tributaries (smaller veins) follow artery: Brachial & Cephalic veins (Not in axilla, drain posterolateral
hand, forearm & arm, passes through clavipectoral triangle & Drains into axillary vein
& Cubital
Fossa
, Axilla
Axilla Overview
Transitional area between neck and arm Deltoid
Trapezius
Passage between axilla & adjacent regions
Formed by: Humerus, Clavicle, Scapula, Upper thoracic wall & muscles Pectoralis major
Teres minor
Irregularly shaped pyramidal space: Inlet, 4x sides, Floor (base) Teres major Pectoralis minor
Subscapularis
Muscles making up borders of Axilla: Trapezius, Deltoid, Pectoralis major, Pectoralis Latissimus dorsi
Serratus anterior
Anterior view
minor, Subscapularis, Teres minor, Teres major, Latissimus dorsi, Serratus anterior
Borders of Axilla
Anterior wall: Pectoralis major, Pectoralis minor, Subclavius, Clavipectoral fascia (btwn pec major & minor)
Lateral wall: Intertubercular sulcus
Medial wall: Upper thoracic wall, Serratus anterior muscle, Posterior wall,
Subscapularis, Teres major, Latissimus dorsi, Long head of triceps brachii
Floor: Skin of armpit
Inlet: Lateral border of rib I, Posterior surface of clavicle, Superior border of scapula up to coracoid process
Axillary Inlet
Superior most (Apex) aspect of Axilla,
Transition for structures between neck, lateral thorax, axilla & pec region
Continuous with neck (superiorly) & Lateral part of floor - arm
Humerus
Medial margin: Lateral border of rib 1
Anterior margin: Posterior surface of clavicle
Posterior margin: Superior border of the scapula up to coracoid process
Contents of Axilla
The Axilla contains: extensions/process of the breast, muscles, lymph nodes, vessels & brachial plexus
Axillary process of Breast
The axillary process of the breast is an extension of the breast into the Axilla region.
This extension should be palpated during breast exams and not overlooked.
Muscles in the Axilla
Biceps brachii muscle (Long & Short head)
Long & short meet/join at common belly
Coracobrachialis muscle
Lymph nodes in the Axilla
Apical nodes (At apex)
Central nodes
Drain towards Drain towards
Pectoral (anterior) nodes central nodes Subclavian lymph trunk
Humeral (lateral) nodes
Subscapular (posterior) nodes
The Axillary Vein
Cephallic vein lies within
Continuation of basilic vein (Drains posteromedial hand & forearm & penetrates fascia of deltopectoral groove &
middle arm to reach Axilla), Axillary Artery begins at lower part of teres major drains into Axillary vein
Passes medial to axillary artery in axilla —> Becomes subclavian vein @ lateral border of rib I
Tributaries (smaller veins) follow artery: Brachial & Cephalic veins (Not in axilla, drain posterolateral
hand, forearm & arm, passes through clavipectoral triangle & Drains into axillary vein
