Abnormal branching pattern of the axillary artery and its clinical significance

Abstract

The increasing use of invasive diagnostic and interventional procedures in cardiovascular diseases makes it important that the type and frequency of vascular variations are well documented and understood. Sound knowledge of neurovascular variations is important for surgeons who remove axillary lymph nodes, to anesthesiologists, and orthopedic surgeons, considering the frequency of procedures done in this region. An unusual variation in the branching pattern of axillary artery was observed on the left side of a 60 year old female cadaver. In the present case the course and distribution of the first and second part of the axillary artery were normal. But a rare case of unusual origin of subscapular, anterior and posterior circumflex humeral, profunda brachii artery and ulnar collateral arteries from a common trunk were found on the left side during routine dissection. This common trunk was found arising from the third part of the axillary artery and at its commencement it was found passing between the two roots of the median nerve. Cases with this kind of variations should be examined or operated carefully during surgical or electrophysiological procedures.