Axilla What is the axilla? What is IN the axilla? Blood vessels, Lymphatics, fascia, nerves…gets stuff To upper limbs to allow them to survive What is axilla’s importance to upper limb? Pyramid-shaped region (armpit) connects arm to rest of body

Axillary Walls

Axillary Contents:  Axillary a. and branches  Axillary v. and branches  Brachial Plexus (cords/branches)  Proximal biceps brachii heads, coracobrachialis m.  Axillary lymph nodes  Fat

Axilla Axillary sheath surrounds axillary v., a., and cords of brachial plexus (extension of prevertebral cervical fascia)

Axillary Artery – Segments & Branches

Axillary Artery

Infraclavicular nodes to Apical axillary nodes To lateral axillary (humeral) nodes Superficial Lymphatic Arm Drainage Deep drainage also to Supratrochlear node

Lymphatic Drainage of Breast  Most to axillary nodes (particularly Anterior Axillary (pectoral) Nodes)  Some to parasternal nodes  Small amount to abdominal nodes

What is the condition? What is likely cause?

 Lymph nodes of axilla (lat. Breast) are easily removable.  Lymph nodes/metastases into thorax (med. Breast) are difficult or impossible to remove/treat.

Some very good Anatomical Websites: (use with caution, I did not review all the content for accuracy)