The relationship of the axillary nerve and the acromion

The relationship of the axillary nerve in 77 cadavers was studied. The distance of the axillary nerve from the angle of the acromion is between 43 to 82 mm (mean = 63 mm). The distance from the axillary nerve to the tip of the acromion varies from 47 to 89 mm (mean = 67 mm). The distance in the female is less than that in the male. The length of the acromion and of the arm are not correlated with the distance between the axillary nerve and the acromion. In addition, the course of the axillary nerve is not constantly parallel to the lateral border of the acromion. Therefore, the acromion is not a good surgical landmark for locating the axillary nerve.