Variation in the Division of the Axillary Artery : A Case Report

Abstract

Arterial variations in left upper limb were observed in an embalmed cadaver. The second part of the axillary artery divided into two stems, medial and lateral stems. The lateral stem was deeper than the medial one and the median nerve was located between these two stems. The lateral stem divided into five branches: the subscapular, two anterior circumflex humeral, a posterior circumflex humeral, and profunda brachii arteries. The medial stem adopted its course superficial to the median nerve, and then divided into the ulnar and radial arteries at elbow level. The present authors describe a previously unreported case and discuss the clinical implications of such a variant.