ABSTRACT
Objective To provide anatomical basis for preventing paresthesia that appear in the lateral thoracic wall ,the arm‐pit and the inside of the upper arm during axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer .Methods The intercostobrachial nerve (ICBN) and its contiguous relationship were observed ,besides the origin ,ramus and branch were measured and recorded by anato‐mizing 30 adult embalmed cadavers (60 sides) .Results Three intercostals nerve (50 sides) and the ICBN (29 sides) were the mainly nerves in lateral thoracic wall ,the medical brachial cutaneous nerve(MBCN) was not observed .Three intercostals nerve , ICBN(42 sides)and MBCN(44 sides) were found in armpit ,but mainly was intercostobrachial nerve (42 sides) .ICBN and the MB‐CN equally distributed in the dorsal and medical of the upper arm ,but the three intercostals nerve was not observed .81 .7% (49 sides) of intercostal nerve and all of the brachial plexus presenced filament .They existenced blood vessel accompanied when the ICBN pierced the chest wall (63 .3% ,38 sides) .Conclusion Identify and intactly preserve the ICBN and relevant nerves and their filament during axillary lymph node dissection of the breast cancer may benefit to prevent paresthesia .