Axillary Artery, Anterior View

Description

Anterior to the shoulder girdle and lateral thoracic wall, the axillary artery is traced from the lateral border of the first rib as the continuation of the subclavian artery to the inferior border of teres major, where it becomes the brachial artery. Pectoralis minor crosses anterior to the vessel, dividing it into proximal, posterior, and distal parts, with branches expected in this projection including the superior thoracic, thoracoacromial, lateral thoracic, subscapular, and the anterior and posterior circumflex humeral arteries. Superficial venous companions, including the axillary vein receiving the cephalic vein near the deltopectoral groove, sit anteromedial to the artery in the axilla. Clear relationships matter here. For procedures in the axilla, this front view helps you teach what lies immediately deep to the pectoral fascia and what becomes exposed after splitting the clavipectoral fascia during an infraclavicular approach. The axillary artery’s second part, posterior to pectoralis minor, is a frequent landmark during axillary lymph node dissection and mastectomy, where traction or cautery can endanger the lateral thoracic vessels and nearby cords of the brachial plexus. Clinically, it also supports explanation of axillary artery aneurysm or traumatic laceration from shoulder dislocation, and why collateral flow around the scapula can preserve distal perfusion when the proximal segment is compromised. Designed for upper limb anatomy teaching, this artwork fits gross anatomy lab manuals, vascular surgery and trauma references, and patient-facing explanations of axillary access for endovascular interventions or arterial line placement. It also reads well in radiology teaching files when correlating with CTA or angiography of the shoulder and upper chest. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.