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The anatomic branch pattern of the axillary nerve
Aysun Uz1, Nihal Apaydin, Murat Bozkurt
1Department of Anatomy, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery
|November 14, 2006
Summary
This study details the surgical anatomy of the axillary nerve and its branches. Findings clarify innervation patterns of the deltoid muscle, crucial for shoulder surgeries.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Surgical Anatomy
- Neuroanatomy
Background:
- The axillary nerve is critical for shoulder function.
- Understanding its branches is vital for surgical procedures and injury management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To delineate the surgical anatomy and innervation patterns of axillary nerve branches.
- To discuss the clinical significance of these anatomical findings for surgical interventions.
Main Methods:
- Microscopic dissection of 30 shoulders from 15 adult cadavers using anterior and posterior approaches.
- Examination of the axillary nerve in two segments relative to the subscapularis muscle.
Main Results:
- The axillary nerve had no branches in its initial segment in 85% of dissections.
- The posterior branch consistently innervated the teres minor first; its joint branch showed 3 patterns.
- Innervation of the deltoid muscle varied, with the posterior part showing three distinct patterns.
Conclusions:
- Detailed anatomical knowledge of axillary nerve branching is essential for precise surgical planning.
- The study provides critical data for procedures involving selective nerve targeting and repair.
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