Axillary Artery, Posterior View

Description

Posterior to the shoulder girdle, the axillary artery is traced as the continuation of the subclavian artery at the lateral border of the first rib, then coursing inferiorly and laterally toward the inferior border of teres major where it becomes the brachial artery. Pectoralis minor lies anterior to the vessel, dividing it into three parts, while the cords of the brachial plexus cluster around it, named by their relationship to the artery rather than to the humerus. Branches expected in this region include the superior thoracic artery proximally, the thoracoacromial trunk and lateral thoracic artery near pectoralis minor, and posteriorly directed circumflex humeral and subscapular branches along the surgical neck of the humerus and the posterior axillary fold. Orientation is clear. A posterior perspective puts the surgical anatomy of the axilla front and center: the third part of the axillary artery sits deep to the posterior wall muscles and is closely accompanied by the axillary nerve as both pass through the quadrangular space adjacent to the humeral neck. That relationship matters in proximal humeral fractures and anterior shoulder dislocations, where injury can compromise the posterior circumflex humeral artery and axillary nerve together, and in deltoid-splitting approaches where you need to respect the nerve’s course from posterior to anterior. Ligation or control of the axillary artery also relies on understanding which branches are tethered to scapular anastomoses and which are not. Use this artwork in gross anatomy and regional upper limb courses to teach axillary artery parts, branch patterns, and brachial plexus cord relationships, or in surgical education materials for axillary exposure, trauma control, and reconstructive flap planning based on the subscapular system. It also suits clinical handouts on vascular injury patterns around the surgical neck and posterior shoulder. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.