290 



BRANCHES OF THE AXILLARY ARTERY. 



Fig. 106* 



The Thoracica axillaris is a small branch distributed to the plexus 



of nerves -and glands in the axilla. 

 It is frequently derived from one of 

 the other thoracic branches. 



The Subscapular artery, the largest 

 of the branches of the axillary, Tuns 

 along the lower border of the subsca- 

 pularis muscle, to the inferior angle of 

 the scapula, where it inosculates with 

 the posterior scapular, a branch of the 

 subclavian. It supplies, in its course, 

 the muscles on the under surface), and 

 inferior border of the scapula, and the 

 side of the chest. At about an inch and 

 a half from the axillary, it gives off 

 a large "branch, the dorsalis scapula, 

 which passes backwards through the 

 triangular space bounded by the teres 

 minor, teres major, and scapular head 

 of the triceps, and beneath the infra- 

 spinatus to the dorsum of the scapula, 

 where it is distributed, inosculating 

 with the supra-scapular and posterior 

 scapular arteries. 



The Circumflex arteries wind around 

 the neck of the humerus. The anterior 

 very small, passes beneath the coraco- 

 brachialis and short head of the 

 biceps, and sends a branch upwards along the bicipital groove 

 to supply the shoulder-joint. 



The Posterior circumflex, of larger size, passes backwards through 

 the quadrangular space bounded by the teres minor and major, the 

 scapular head of the triceps and the humerus, and is distributed to 

 the deltoid muscle and joint. Sometimes this artery is a branch of 

 the superior profunda of the brachial. It then ascends behind the 

 tendon of the teres major, and is distributed to the deltoid without 

 passing through the quadrangular space. The posterior circumflex 

 artery sends branches to the shoulder-joint. 



* The axillary nnd brachial artery, with their branches. ]. The deltoid muscle. 2. 

 The biceps. 3. The tendinous process given off from the tendon of the biceps, to the 

 deep fascia of the fore-arm. It is this process which separates the median basilic 

 vein from the brachial artery. 4. The outer border of the brachialis anticus muscle. 

 5. The supinator lorigus. 6. The coraco-brachialis. 7. The middle portion of the 

 triceps muscle. 8. Its inner head. 9. The axillary artery. 10. The brachial artery ; 

 a dark line marks the limit between these two vessels. 11. The thoracica acro- 

 mialis artery dividing into its three branches ; the number rests upon the coracoid pro- 

 cess. 12. The superior and inferior thoracic arteries. 13. The serratus magnus mus- 

 cle. 14. The subscapular artery. The posterior circumflex and thoracica axillaris 

 branches are seen in the figure between the inferior thoracic and subscapular. The 

 anterior circumflex is observed, between the two heads of the biceps, crossing the 

 neck of the humerus. 15. The superior profunda artery. 1C. The inferior profunda. 



17. The anastomotica magna inosculating inferiorly, with the anterior ulnar recurrent. 



18. The termination of the superior profunda, inosculating with the radial recurrent 

 in the interspace between the brachialis anticus and supinator longus. 



