Anatomical variations in termination of the axillary artery and its clinical implications

Abstract

Variations in the termination of the axillary artery (AA) were observed in 51 out of 356 axilla during routine dissections. The incidence of variation was higher on the right axilla in 17.42% cases (CI: 11.60-22.51) than the left axilla 11.24% cases (CI: 6.46-15.55) and was found to be 12.33% in male and 40.63% in female cadavers. The variations were divided into four groups. The first group showed that the terminal end of the AA divided into lateral and medial divisions in 6.16% (CI: 2.21-9.82) male and in 15.63% (CI: 2.76-25.25) female cadavers. The second group variation showed that the terminal end of the axillary artery divided into deep and superficial divisions in 2.74% (CI: 0.10-5.27) male and in 6.25% (CI: -1.87-13.13) female cadavers. The third group showed that the terminal end of the AA divided into three branches in 2.74% (CI: 0.10-5.27) male and in 6.25% (CI: -1.87-13.13) female cadavers. The fourth group showed the tapering of the terminal end of AA in 0.68% (CI: -0.63-1.99) male and 12.50% (CI: 0.97-21.46) female cadavers. The variable origin of the circumflex humeral, subscapular and profunda brachii arteries was also observed. These variations in the terminal end of the axillary artery are not only of significant clinical importance to orthopaedic and reconstructive surgeons but also have very significant medico-legal implications.