Unusual Axillary Artery Branching Pattern Associated with Multiple Neural Variations

Acta Med Acad. 2021 Dec;50(3):393-396. doi: 10.5644/ama2006-124.360.

Abstract

Objective: This report presents a unilateral branching pattern of the axillary artery (AA) represented by an unusual common trunk division, vessel multiplications and concomitant neural variations.

Case report: In a Greek male cadaver, the right AA branched into a subscapular trunk and two accessory lateral thoracic arteries of variable origin and course. Concomitantly, a high-level interconnection between the musculocutaneous and median nerves was identified, as an accessory lateral root of the median nerve. More interestingly, a rare innervation of the upper part of the latissimus dorsi muscle by a lower subscapular nerve was also revealed.

Conclusion: In-depth knowledge of the typical and variant AA branching patterns and coexisting neural variations is of paramount importance for surgeons and interventional physicians, for a safer diagnosis and for performing uneventful procedures in that area.

Keywords: Angular Branch; Subscapular Artery; Thoracodorsal Artery; Trunk; Variation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Arm
  • Axillary Artery*
  • Brachial Plexus* / anatomy & histology
  • Cadaver
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Median Nerve
  • Thoracic Arteries