Corpus: Axilla: Unterschied zwischen den Versionen

The axilla is a pyramid-shaped anatomical space between the lateral chest wall and the medial humerus.

The term axilla is used colloquially only to describe the fold of skin between the chest wall and the upper arm, which is hairy in adults.

The pointed apex of the axilla points cranially and is bordered by the distal parts of the first rib, the upper edge of the shoulder blade (scapula) and the collarbone (clavicle). The base of the axilla lies caudally, with its broad side facing the chest wall and tapering towards the upper arm. It is formed by the skin and a thick layer of fascia, the fascia axillaris.

The anterior wall of the axilla is formed by the pectoralis major muscle and the pectoralis minor muscle. The space between the pectoralis minor muscle and the clavicle is spanned by the clavipectoral fascia.

The posterior wall of the axilla extends further caudally than the anterior wall. It is formed at the top by the subscapularis muscle and at the bottom by the teres major and latissimus dorsi muscles.

The medial border of the axilla is formed by the first four ribs with the intercostal muscles between them and part of the serratus anterior muscle. On the lateral side, the anterior and posterior walls converge to form a narrow surface that is formed by the humerus, the coracobrachialis muscle and the biceps brachii muscle.

Vessels

• Axillary artery and its branches:
  • superior thoracic artery
  • thoracoacromial artery
  • Lateral thoracic artery
  • subscapular artery
  • anterior circumflex humeral artery
  • Arteria circumflexa humeri posterior
• axillary vein

Nerves

• Brachial plexus and its branches, among others:
  • Nervi subscapulares
  • Axillary nerve
  • intercostobrachial nerve
  • Thoracic long nerve
  • thoracodorsal nerve
• intercostal nerves

Other

• Axillary lymph nodes (Nodi lymphatici axillares)
• Adipose tissue