UNILATERAL VARIATION IN THE BRANCHING PATTERN OF AXILLARY ARTERY: A CADAVERIC STUDY

During routine dissection of upper extremity in a 55-year-old male cadaver we noted a rare variation in the branching pattern of the axillary artery on the left side. The second part of the axillary artery was the source of all the branches of the axillary artery which arise normally from second and third part. The third part of axillary artery was related to the branches of brachial plexus and without giving any branches continued as brachial artery at the lower border of teres major. This finding has an embryological basis and clinical relevance. These variations in the branching pattern of axillary artery may be due to deviation in the development of the vascular plexus of the limb bud. Awareness of variation of axillary artery may serve as a guide for both radiologists and vascular surgeons. During surgeries for lymph nodes in the axilla and pectoral region, presence of such variations must be kept in mind.