Axillary artery

Arteria axillaris

CardiovascularBlood vesselsThoraxLeft and right

View left in 3D View right in 3D

What it is
Continues the subclavian artery from the outer border of the first rib through the axilla, behind pectoralis minor and surrounded by the cords of the brachial plexus, to the lower border of teres major, where it becomes the brachial artery.
Function
Supplies the shoulder, lateral chest wall and axilla (thoracoacromial, lateral thoracic, subscapular and circumflex humeral branches) and carries blood on to the arm.
Size
~8–9 mm diameter; ~10 cm long.
Clinical note
Its rich anastomosis around the scapula can keep the arm alive if the artery is tied off above the subscapular branch.

Nearby cardiovascular structures Axillary vein, Brachiocephalic trunk, Left pulmonary artery, Left subclavian artery, Left superior pulmonary vein, Right brachiocephalic vein, Right pulmonary artery, Right subclavian artery, Subclavian vein, Superior vena cava