Axillary Artery Variant: A Cadaveric Case Report and Clinical Significance

Vasculature variations are commonly studied and used as a tool to further understand embryology, pathology, and clinical significance. In this case report, a rare axillary artery variant (AA) in the right upper limb of an 84-year-old Caucasian male donor was analyzed (including its relationship with the brachial plexus) and differentiated from the canonical AA branching pattern seen in the left upper limb. The variant was observed as a bifurcation of the second part of the AA into the superficial axillary branch (SAB) and deep axillary branch (DAB). The SAB gave off the lateral thoracic artery and a muscular branch providing vasculature to the serratus anterior (SA) muscle before continuing distally as the brachial artery. The DAB traveled deep to the lateral cord's contributing root to the median nerve and directly gave rise to the thoracodorsal, anterior circumflex humeral, posterior circumflex humeral, and circumflex scapular arteries before continuing posteriorly as the profunda brachii artery. The subscapular artery was absent. In addition to its normal blood supply to the latissimus dorsi muscle, the thoracodorsal artery provided branches to the SA and teres major muscles. These findings not only advance the scientific knowledge of the AA as a highly variable vessel but also enrich the clinical training of practitioners focused on accurate diagnosis of the causes of neuropathies of the upper limb and on improving patient outcomes in surgical or interventional procedures.