BRANCHES OF THE AXILLARY ARTERY. 271 



Anterior Branches, 



The arteries which go to the pectoral muscle, &;c., are very 

 various in different subjects, both as to their number, origin and 

 size. 



They have been called by different names, as Thoradcce 

 Externce, Mammaria Externa, &tc. 



There are almost always three of them, and very often more: 

 one of them, which is called by several authors the Acromialis, 

 proceeds towards the end of the clavicle, and generally passes 

 out at the interval between the deltoid and the pectoral muscle, 

 sending various branches to the contiguous parts ; the largest 

 of its branches often passing in the direction of the interstice 

 between those muscles. 



Another of these arteries, which is called Superior Thoracic, 

 is generally very small : it often is a branch of the above men- 

 tioned Acromialis. 



There is very often to be found here an artery called the 

 Inferior Thoracic, or the External Mammary, which is of 

 considerable length, although its diameter is not very great. 

 This artery originates near the two last mentioned, and some- 

 times from the Acromialis. It often extends downwards as 

 low as the sixth rib, and sends branches to the anterior part 

 of the thorax, to the mamma, and other contiguous parts. 

 Many of the small branches of this artery anastomose very 

 freely with those of the internal mammary. 



There are always one or more small arterial branches in the 

 axilla, which ramify upon the glands and adipose matter always 

 existing there. They often arise by one common trunk, which 

 is called the Thoracica Axillaris. 



Posterior Branch. 



One large artery is commonly sent to the muscles on the 

 scapula, which is called the Scapular, the Common Scapular, 

 or the Internal Scapular. It commonly passes off from the 

 axillary after the thoracic arteries, and supplies the muscles 



