Superior border of scapula
AXILLA
Apex of axilla
(cervicoaxillary
canal)
Lateral wall
Medial wall
of clavicle
Anterior wall (opened)
Lateral wall
Figs 4.2a to c: (a) Boundaries of the apex of the axilla, (b) walls of the axilla, and (c) opened up axilla
Eo-
6l
& I Posterlor wall
EI
b o-tI Anterior wall
fL
U)
Base of axilla
Bose ol Flool
It is directed downwards, and is formed by skin,
superficial and axillary fasciae. It is convex upwards in
congruence with concavity of axilla.
Anlerior ll
It is formed by the following.
i. The pectoralis major in front (Fig.4.3).
ii. The clavipectoral fascia
iii. Pectoralis minor.
Posterior II
It is formed by the following.
i. Subscapularis above (Fi9.4.4),
ii. Teres major and
iii. Latissimus dorsi below
Mediol II
It is convex laterally and formed by the following.
i. Upper four ribs with their intercostal muscles.
ii. Upper part of the serratus anterior muscle (Fig. 4.5).
lolerol ll
It is very narrow because the anterior and posterior
walls converge on it. It is formed by the following.
Fig. 4.3: Anterior and posterior walls of the axilla with the axillary
artery
i. Upper part of the shaft of the humerus in the region
of the bicipital groove, and
ii. Coracobrachialis and short head of the biceps
brachii (Fig.4.5).
CONTENTS OF AXITLA
1 Axillary artery and its branches (Fig.4.5).
2 Axillary vein and its tributaries.
3 Infraclavicular part of the brachial plexus.
Subclavius
Pectoralis
maJor
Clavipectoral
fascia
Pectoralis
mtnor
Suspensory
ligament
Sub-
scapularis
Axillary
artery
Teres
malor
Latissimus
dorsi
.o
e
o
CL
CL
E
o
c)o
a
Axillary fascia
(base of axilla)