The common morphology and clinical significance of the axillary arch.
10.3760/cma.j.cn112139-20221017-00446
- Author:
Ming Qing HUANG
1
;
Fei GE
2
;
Xiao Chen HOU
1
;
Wen Lin CHEN
1
Author Information
1. Third Department of Breast Surgery, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, Kunming 650118, China.
2. Department of Breast Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, China.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Humans;
Axilla;
Clinical Relevance;
Asian People;
Drainage;
Lymph Node Excision
- From:
Chinese Journal of Surgery
2023;61(2):168-172
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Axillary arch is the most common type of axillary muscle fiber variation, with about 10.8% incidence in the Chinese population. Its natural forms are varied and fluid, with different starting points and terminations, and clinicians frequently lack recognition. Under commonly applicated sentinel lymph node biopsy, the axillary arch has been endowed with more clinical significance. The fabric of axillary arch will not only block lymphatic drainage in axilla and unclear anatomical level of axillary dissection, but also compress the axillary neurovascular bundle, causing upper limb venous thrombosis, lymphedema and nerve entrapment. The intumescent axillary arch may also show abnormal axillary bulge. In addition to finding axillary arch during cadaveric study and operation, several of imaging methods availably diagnose axillary arch preoperative, which can create new way for detection of axillary arch and extension of the surgical plan of sentinel lymph node biopsy. Although embryology and comparative anatomy have been used to explain the origin of the axillary arch, most of the ideas are still hypotheses and need further study.
