Arteria axillaris. 



205 



549. Course and Ramification of the Right Axillary 



Artery. 



The axillary artery, Art. axillaris, the continuation of the 

 subclavian, commences at the lower border of the first rib, and terminates 

 at the lower border of the tendons of the latissimus dorsi and teres 

 major muscles, where it takes the name of the brachial ; the two roots 

 of the median nerve surround the artery. 



Its branches are: 



a) The superior thoracic, Art. tlioracica suprema, which passes 

 between the M. pectoralis major and minor to the side of the chest. 



b) The acromial thoracic, Art. acromialis s. tlioraco-acromialis, 

 passes in front of the acromial process outwards and upwards to the 

 acromion, supplies the capsule of the shoulder joint, and sends acromial 

 branches to the shoulder, which, by anastomosing with the acromial 

 branch of the transverse scapular artery, form the Bete acromiale (see Fig. 550). 



c) The long thoracic, Art. fhoracica longa, passes downwards 

 upon the M. serratus magnus and supplies it and the outer portion of 

 the mammary gland. 



27* 



