Axillary artery
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Axillary artery (a.axillaris) is a continuation of the subclavian artery (from level I of the rib). It is located in the depth of the axillary fossa and is surrounded by trunks of the brachial plexus. At the lower edge of the tendon of the latissimus muscle, the axillary artery passes into the brachial artery. Accordingly, the topography of the anterior wall of the axillary fovea axillary artery is conventionally divided into three sections. In the first department, at the level of the clavicle-thoracic triangle, the following arteries move from the axillary artery:
- the subscapular branches (r. Subscapulares) branch out in the same-named muscle;
- the upper thoracic artery (a thoracica superior) splits into branches that are directed to the first and second intercostal spaces, where blood is supplied to the intercostal muscles, and also gives thin branches to the pectoral muscles;
- the thoracoacromial artery (a thoracoacromialis) departs from the axillary artery above the upper edge of the small pectoral muscle and splits into 4 branches: the acromial branch (r. Acromialis) takes part in the formation of the acromial network, from which the acromioclavicular joint is supplied, and, in part, capsule of the shoulder joint; the clavicular branch (r. Clavicularis) is unstable, nourishes the clavicle and subclavian muscle; the deltoid branch (r. Deltoideus) supplies the deltoid and large pectoral muscles and the corresponding areas of the skin of the breast; thoracic branches (r.pectorales) are directed to the large and small pectoral muscles.
In the second department, at the level of the thoracic triangle, from the axillary artery departs:
- lateral thoracic artery (a. Thoracica lateralis). It descends downward along the outer surface of the anterior dentate muscle, which is blood supply. This artery also gives lateral branches of the mammary gland (r. Mammarii laterales).
In the pectoral triangle (third section) three arteries branch from the axillary artery:
- the subscapular artery (a.subscapularis) is the largest. It is divided into a thoracic artery and an artery circumscribing the scapula. The thoracic artery (a. Thoracodorsalis) follows along the lateral edge of the scapula, blood supply to the anterior dentate and large round muscle, as well as the widest muscle of the back. The artery surrounding the scapula (a. Circumflexa scapulae) passes through a three-sided opening to the posterior surface of the scapula to the subacute muscle and to other adjacent muscles, as well as to the skin of the scapular region;
- the anterior artery circumscribing the humerus (a. Circumflexa anterior humeri) runs in front of the surgical neck of the shoulder to the shoulder joint and the deltoid muscle;
- the posterior artery circumscribing the humerus (a circumflexa posterior humeri), larger than the previous one, along with the axillary nerve, is guided through the quadrilateral opening to the deltoid muscle, anastomoses with the branches of the anterior artery circumscribing the humerus, blood supply to the shoulder joint and adjacent muscles.
[How to examine?