Upper Extremity – Axilla and Brachial Plexus

Before beginning this video lecture, review the following structures in your anatomy atlas. The Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Atlas of Anatomy plate references are given for comparable reference.

2-15, 2-09, 2-53 2-14

Blood Vessels Nerves
Thoracoacromial artery Dorsal scapular nerve
Anterior circumflex humeral artery Suprascapular nerve
Posterior circumflex humeral artery Nerve to the subclavius muscle
Subscapular artery Medial pectoral nerve
Circumflex scapular artery Medial brachial cutaneous nerve
Brachial artery Medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve
Thoracodorsal artery Lateral pectoral nerve
Subclavian artery Upper subscapular nerve
Superior thoracic artery Thoracodorsal nerve
Axillary vein Lower subscapular nerve
Brachial vein Ulnar nerve
Cephalic vein Radial nerve
Musculocutaneous
Axillary
Median nerve

Borders of the Axilla

1. What structures make up the following borders of the axilla?

Posterior Subscapularis muscle, teres major, latissimus dorsi

Medial Serratus anterior, 1st-4thribs and the associated intercostal muscles

Lateral

Anterior Pectoralis major, pectoralis minor

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Blood Supply

2. When does the subclavian artery become the axillary artery?

3. When does the axillary artery become the brachial artery?

4. What are the 6 branches of the axillary artery?

Clinical Correlation

5. What is the arrangement of the axillary lymph nodes?

6. What is the common side effect that can occur after removing the axillary lymph nodes?

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Brachial Plexus

7. What ventral rami form the brachial plexus?

8. Label the divisions of the brachial plexus:

9. What is the name of the structure that enters the axilla through the cervicoaxillary canal bound to the axillary
blood vessels?

10. What is the mnemonic used for the branches of the posterior cord?

U and L –

T–

R–

A–

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Clinical Correlation

11. Label the following diagram of the brachial plexus:

1. 7.
2. 8.
3. 9.
4. 10.
5. 11.
6.

12. What type of palsy is caused by an injury to the superior part of the brachial plexus, and what is the
associated clinical picture?

13. What type of palsy is caused by an injury to the inferior part of the brachial plexus, and what is the associated
clinical picture?

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End of Session Quiz

1. What are the 6 branches of the axillary artery?

2. What are the branches of the subscapular artery?

3. What are the 3 branches of the lateral cord of the brachial plexus?

4. What are the 5 branches of the medial cord of the brachial plexus?

5. What are the 5 branches of the posterior cord of the brachial plexus?

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Mock Practical

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