Variation of branching pattern of axillary artery

Introduction Axillary artery begins as a continuation of 3rd part of subclavian artery at the outer border of the first rib. It extends at the lower border of teres major muscle where it continues as the brachial artery. The pectoralis minor muscle divides the axillary artery into three parts. It usually gives off 6 branches. The 1st part which is medial to pectoralis minor muscle gives superior thoracic artery; the 2nd part which is deep to the above-mentioned muscle gives thoracoacromial and lateral thoracic arteries. The 3rd part lays lateral to the pectoralis minor and gives subscapular, anterior circumflex humeral and posterior circumflex humeral arteries. An extensive anastomosis is present between the branches of subclavian and axillary arteries around the dorsal surface of scapula.