Anomalous branching pattern of the axillary artery.

ABSTRACT

In routine dissection of upper extremity, in a 70yrs old male cadaver, we found the abnormal branching pattern of the third part of axillary artery on the right side. The third part of axillary artery divided into medial and lateral trunks. The medial trunk is referred to as deep brachial artery and lateral trunk is referred to as superficial brachial artery. The superficial brachial artery continues as brachial artery in arm and finally in cubital fossa divides into radial and ulnar arteries. The deep brachial artery at its origin was trapped by two roots of median nerve and later divided in to Subscapular artery, Anterior circumflex humeral artery, Posterior circumflex humeral artery and profunda brachii artery. The branching pattern of the axillary artery was normal on left side. This variation is important for surgeons for lymphectomies, to anesthesiologist and orthopedic surgeons considering the frequency of procedures done in this region.