Topography and Anatomical Variations of the Axillary Artery

Abstract

Knowledge of anatomical variations of the limb’s main arteries is significant for the clinicians. Thus, this study is aimed at examining the branching pattern and anatomical variations of the axillary artery. We conducted research on 59 upper limbs of adult human donated cadavers. All axillary artery branches’ origins were assessed, and the correlations between points of origins and variations of specific branches were evaluated. The average length of the axillary artery was found to be 11.22 cm, and this length was defined as reference line. Based on this reference line, the first, second, and third parts were 37.56%, 39%, and 30.05%, respectively. The STA was originated from 25.11%. The TAA and LTA were 42.67% and 54.82%, respectively. The SSA, ACHA, and PCHA were 64.72%, 83.89%, and 84.53%, respectively. The origin of LTA was correlated with that of SSA ( R = 0.473 , P < 0.05 ) and AHCA ( R = 0.307 , P < 0.05 ), respectively. And there was a positive correlation between AHCA and PHCA ( R = 0.705 , P < 0.05 ). The number of branches ranged from 3~6, and 9 types were shown. The most frequent branching pattern was common origin of the LTA and SSA (22/59). And AHCA and PHCA were originated together in 19 cases, and both patterns were combined in 12 cases. TTA and LTA branched together in 9 cases, and common trunk for the SSA, PHCA, and AHCA was found in 2 cases. According to this pattern, the origin of LTA and PCHA was significantly different. This information is particularly useful for surgeons and clinicians.

Common Arterial Trunk for the Branches of the Third Portion of the Axillary Artery. Description of a Case and its Clinical Application

“…In this sense, an alteration in the connection of these primitive vessels, especially of the seventh right intersegmental artery could cause anatomical variations in the axillary artery (Decker et al, 1986), as described in this case. In this regard, current studies indicate that the origin of the branches of the axillary artery varies according to the branching patterns, which suggests that these arteries develop simultaneously and their branching patterns may not be random (Yang et al, 2021); this hypothesis coincides with our finding, since the vascular variation found consisted in an alterated of the origin of the branches of the third portion of the axillary artery; however, each maintained its territory of vascular distribution.…”

Infraclavicular, Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Approach to the Axillary Artery for Arterial Catheter Placement: A Randomized Trial

“…Other safety measures included specified depth of catheter insertion, which was 10 cm from the skin puncture. This distance guarantees that when catheter is inserted between the third and the second part of the axillary artery, the tip of the catheter is located at the border of the axillary and the subclavian artery (21). Thus, the risk of adverse tip location, for example in the common jugular artery or vertebral artery, can be avoided (22).…”

Delayed development of a huge chest wall hematoma post pacemaker implantation: A case report

“…The thoracoacromial artery originates from the secondary part of axillary artery and divides into the pectoral branch, deltoid branch, and acromial branch. The pectoral branch crosses over the pectoralis minor and courses downward between the pectoralis muscles, giving rise to a branch to pectoralis minor and continue the deep surface of pectoralis major 2 . Currently, the most applied method for pacemaker lead placement is via left axillary vein cannulation 3 .…”

“…between the pectoralis muscles, giving rise to a branch to pectoralis minor and continue the deep surface of pectoralis major. 2 Currently, the most applied method for pacemaker lead placement is via left axillary vein cannulation. 3 The axillary vein, which lies medial to axillary artery, is accompanied by the artery along its length.…”