CADAVERIC STUDY OF THE BRANCHING PATTERN OF THE AXILLARY ARTERY.

Introduction: Deviations from the normal arterial pattern of the axillary artery is of immense in the medical science. Therefore, study is an attempt to know the normal and abnormal anatomy of the axillary artery. Materials and methods:  The present study was conducted in the department of Anatomy, GSL Medical College. The limbs were dissected retaining continuity with the trunk. Exposure of axillary artery and its branches were achieved as per standard procedures. The axillary artery was identified, the observations such as length of the artery, midpoint of the width of the artery were measured by keeping a thread along whole of its length, marked with India ink. Results: Total 50 cadavers were dissected. The average length of axillary artery was found to be 10.17 cm, range 7 – 11 cm, number of branches ranged 2 – 9. In 38% of dissections, number of branches encountered was 5, followed by 6 branches in 36% and 4 branches in 10%. In 28% of cases (14 out of 50) the 6 name branches were found arising independently from axillary artery. Conclusion: The knowledge of axially artery variations is of anatomical and surgical interest. This information is useful for the surgeons dealing with the axillary region especially in the case of reconstructive surgery. Key words: Axillary, Artery, Branch, Distance