Abstract
Introduction: Variations in the course and the branching pattern of the axillary artery is not rare. Knowledge about the aberrations of the axillary artery is very important in the fields of radiology, surgery, anatomy and orthopaedics. These variations in the axillary artery should be kept in mind during surgeries in the axillary region and pectoral region.
Material and Methods: The study was conducted in the Postgraduate Department of Anatomy, Government Medical College, Jammu. The dissection was carried out on an embalmed male cadaver. The dissection was done for routine educational purposes in the dissection hall. The branching pattern of the axillary artery along with its various branches was studied with keen observation.
Results: In the present study, an anomalous common thoraco humeral trunk arose on the right side from the second part of the axillary artery which branched into lateral thoracic, anterior and posterior circumflex humeral, subscapular and thoracodorsal vessels. On the left side there were no aberrations in the axillary artery.
Discussion: Any deviation from the normal course and branching pattern of the axillary artery are of importance for radiologists, anatomists, orthopaedicians and surgeons. These variations in the branching pattern are of help to the orthopaedic surgeons while attempting reduction of old dislocations especially when axillary artery is adhered to the capsule.
Keywords: Axillary artery, thoraco humeral trunk, variation, upper limb.
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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v3i11.28
