Abnormal Communication between Lateral Thoracic Artery and Anterior Circumflex Humeral Artery - a Case Report.

Dinesh V Kumar,Prasad G Bhavani,Ramakrisnan Rajprasath

doi:10.14712/18059694.2018.54

Abstract

Variations in the branching pattern of axillary artery are observed by many anatomists all over the world. A unique bilateral variation in the axillary artery was observed during the routine dissection of the upper limbs on an approximately 65 year old male cadaver. An abnormal communicative channel was observed between lateral thoracic artery and anterior circumflex humeral artery. It passed between the two roots of median nerve. Arterial anomalies in the upper limb are due to defective remodelling of vascular plexus of the upper limb bud during embryogenesis. Knowledge of variations in axillary artery is quintessential for surgeons, radiologists and anaesthesiologists to avoid treacherous complications during procedures.

Highlights

Axillary artery being the salient blood vessel of the upper limb extends from the outer border of first rib to the lower border of teres major muscle
Lateral thoracic artery usually arises from the second part of axillary artery and runs along the lateral border of pectoralis minor muscle
The anterior circumflex humeral artery runs deep to coracobrachialis and both heads of biceps [4]. It participates in anastomoses with posterior circumflex humeral artery

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Axillary artery being the salient blood vessel of the upper limb extends from the outer border of first rib to the lower border of teres major muscle It is in intimate relationship with the cords of brachial plexus and its branches and enclosed with the axillary sheath. Lateral thoracic artery usually arises from the second part of axillary artery and runs along the lateral border of pectoralis minor muscle. Median nerve which usually lies anterior to axillary artery is formed by the union of medial and lateral roots from medial and lateral cords of brachial plexus respectively. An abnormal arterial trunk (Fig. 1) was given off from the lateral thoracic branch of the second part It coursed downwards and laterally (Fig. 2) between the two roots of the median nerve and joined the anterior circum-

DISCUSSION

Findings

CONCLUSION