| Axillary artery | |
|---|---|
 Axillary artery and its branches—anterior view of right upper limb and thorax. Upper and lower limits labeled. | |
 Thepectoralis minor muscle is used as a landmark for dividing the axillary artery into three parts. | |
| Details | |
| Source | Subclavian artery |
| Branches | Superior thoracic thoracoacromial lateral thoracic subscapular anterior circumflex humeral posterior circumflex humeral continues asbrachial artery |
| Vein | Axillary vein |
| Supplies | Axilla |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | arteria axillaris |
| MeSH | D001366 |
| TA98 | A12.2.09.002 |
| TA2 | 4616 |
| FMA | 22654 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
Inhuman anatomy, theaxillary artery is a largeblood vessel that conveys oxygenatedblood to the lateral aspect of thethorax, theaxilla (armpit) and theupper limb. Its origin is at the lateral margin of the firstrib, before which it is called thesubclavian artery.
After passing the lower margin ofteres major it becomes thebrachial artery.
The axillary artery is often referred to as having three parts,[1] with these divisions based on its location relative to thepectoralis minor muscle, which is superficial to the artery.
The axillary artery is accompanied by theaxillary vein,[2] which lies medial to the artery, along its length.
In the axilla, the axillary artery is surrounded by thebrachial plexus.[2] The second part of the axillary artery is the reference for the locational descriptions of the cords in thebrachial plexus. For example, theposterior cord of the brachial plexus is so named because it lies posterior to the second part of the artery.
The axillary artery has several smaller branches. The branches can be remembered, in order, when traveling from the heart, with themnemonics "Seek The Lord, Serve All People", "Summertime: The Lakers Schedule Another Parade", "Some Traumas Leave Scars And Pain", or "She Tastes Like Sweet Apple Pie."[3] The origin of these branches is highly variable (e.g. the posterior and anterior circumflex arteries often have a common trunk). An arterial branch is named for its course, not its origin.
Continues as thebrachial artery past the inferior border of theteres major.[2]
The axillary artery can be safely clamped without endangering the arm, but only in a location proximal to the origin of the subscapular artery (and distal to the thyrocervical trunk of the subclavian artery). The anastomotic network surrounding the scapula provides an alternate path for collateral circulation to the arm from arteries including thedorsal scapular artery andsuprascapular artery.
The right axillary artery is often used as an arterialcannulation site incardiac surgery, particularly for repair ofaortic dissection and replacement of theascending aorta andaortic arch.
