Abnormal Communication between Lateral Thoracic Artery and Anterior Circumflex Humeral Artery – a Case Report

Abstract

Variations in the branching pattern of axillary artery are observed by many anatomists all over the world. A unique bilateral variation in the axillary artery was observed during the routine dissection of the upper limbs on an approximately 65 year old male cadaver. An abnormal communicative channel was observed between lateral thoracic artery and anterior circumflex humeral artery. It passed between the two roots of median nerve. Arterial anomalies in the upper limb are due to defective remodelling of vascular plexus of the upper limb bud during embryogenesis. Knowledge of variations in axillary artery is quintessential for surgeons, radiologists and anaesthesiologists to avoid treacherous complications during procedures.

Keywords

• axillary artery
• abnormal communicative channel
• lateral thoracic artery
• circumflex humeral artery