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The axillary arch - morphological and histological study with clinical importance
1Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala-Lumpur, Malaysia.
Morphologie : Bulletin De L'Association Des Anatomistes
|April 3, 2010
Summary
This study reports bilateral axillary arches in a human cadaver, an uncommon anatomical variant. Understanding this axillary arch is crucial for surgical and clinical practice.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Human Morphology
- Skeletal Muscle Anatomy
Background:
- The latissimus dorsi muscle forms the posterior axillary fold.
- An occasional muscular slip, the axillary arch, inserts into the pectoralis major.
- This anatomical variant is rare in humans but common in arboreal animals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the detection of bilateral axillary arches in a human cadaver.
- To document the morphometric measurements of the identified axillary arches.
- To discuss the potential clinical and surgical implications of this anatomical finding.
Main Methods:
- Cadaveric dissection of a 45-year-old male.
- Morphometric analysis of the axillary arch dimensions (length and width).
- Histological examination of the axillary arch tissue.
Main Results:
- Bilateral axillary arches were identified.
- Average vertical length was 7 cm; average widths were 2 cm, 3.5 cm, and 3.2 cm.
- Histology revealed uniformly arranged skeletal muscle fibers.
Conclusions:
- The axillary arch is an uncommon human anatomical variation.
- It may contribute to shoulder adduction or cause neurovascular compression.
- Awareness of the axillary arch aids surgeons, clinicians, and radiologists in diagnosis and treatment.
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