The axilla

Question 1

What is the apex of the axilla?

Answer 1

Lateral border of 1st rib
Superior border of scapula
Posterior border of clavicle

Question 2

What forms the lateral wall of the axilla?

Answer 2

Intertubercular sulcus

Question 3

What forms the medial wall of the axilla?

Answer 3

Serratus anterior, ribs, intercostal muscles

Question 4

What forms the anterior wall of the axilla?

Answer 4

Pectoralis major/minor, subclavius

Question 5

What forms the posterior wall of the axilla?

Answer 5

Subscapularis, teres major, latissimus dorsi

Question 6

What forms the base of the axilla?

Answer 6

Axillary fascia + skin

Question 7

What are the 7 contents of the axilla?

Answer 7

Axillary artery
Axillary vein
Cords of brachial plexus
Branches of brachial plexus
Intercostobrachial nerve T2
Axillary lymph nodes
Biceps brachii + corachobrachialis

Question 8

What are the 3 routes that structures leave the axilla?

Answer 8

1 = inferolaterally into upper limb
2 = via quadrangular space to posterior arm + shoulder (axillary nerve + post. circumflex humeral artery)
3 = via clavipectoral triangle (deltopectoral triangle), opening in anterior wall of axilla bound by pec. major/clavicle/deltoid (where cephalic vein enters + medial/lateral pectoral nerves leave)

Question 9

What are the 6 lymph nodes of the axilla?

Answer 9

APICAL

Anterior
Posterior
Infraclavicular
Central
Apical
Lateral

Question 10

Where is the anterior group of lymph nodes and where do they receive lymph vessels from?

Answer 10

Lower pec. minor

From lateral quadrants of breast + anterolateral abdo. wall above umbilicus

Question 11

Where is the posterior group of lymph nodes and where do they receive lymph vessels from?

Answer 11

In front of subscapularis

From back

Question 12

Where is the lateral group of lymph nodes and where do they receive lymph vessels from?

Answer 12

Medial side of axillary vein

From upper limb (except those draining into infraclavicular nodes)

Question 13

Where is the central group of lymph nodes and where do they receive lymph from?

Answer 13

Centre of axilla

From anterior/posterior/lateral groups

Question 14

Where is the infraclavicular group of lymph nodes and where do they receive lymph vessels from?

Answer 14

Groove between pec. major + deltoid

From lateral side of hand/forearm/arm

Question 15

Where is the apical group of lymph nodes and where do they receive efferent lymph vessels from?

Answer 15

Apex of axilla

From all other axillary nodes

Question 16

What do the efferent vessels from the axillary node converge to form?

Answer 16

Subclavian lymphatic trunk

Question 17

What does the right subclavian trunk form + drain into?

Answer 17

Right lymphatic duct

Right venous angle (junction of internal jugular + subclavian veins)

Question 18

What does the left subclavian trunk drain into?

Answer 18

Thoracic duct then left venous angle (junction of internal jugular + subclavian veins)

Question 19

What causes axillary lymphadenopathy?

Answer 19

Upper limb infection/breast/pectoral region
Metastases from breast cancer/malignant melanoma
Lymphoma/leukaemia

Question 20

What are the 3 risks of axillary lymph node dissection?

Answer 20

Damage to long thoracic nerve + thoracodorsal nerve

Interrupt lymphatic drainage = lymphoedema