Study note
Anatomy
Axilla
Thoracoacromial terminal branches and the lateral thoracic artery
THE CONTEXT
The thoracoacromial artery emerges at the upper border of pectoralis minor, pierces the clavipectoral fascia, and divides into four terminal branches.
Thoracoacromial terminal branches
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The pectoral branch passes between the pectoral muscles and
supplies these muscles and the breast.
•
The deltoid branch
runs in the deltopectoral groove with the cephalic vein.
•
The acromial branch crosses the coracoid process and joins the anastomoses over the acromion.
•
The clavicular branch
runs superomedially deep to pectoralis major and supplies the acromioclavicular joint and subclavius.
Lateral thoracic artery
•
The lateral thoracic artery
arises from the second part of the axillary artery.
•
It emerges at and
runs along the lower border of pectoralis minor, closely related to the anterior group of axillary lymph nodes.
•
In females, it is large and gives lateral mammary branches to the breast.
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