Axillary Artery Mnemonics

Origin of Axillary Artery: Continuation of Subclavian artery

Extent of Axillary Artery: Outer border of 1st rib to Lower border of teres major (terminates as brachial artery)

Relation to Axillary Vein: Lateral to Axillary Vein

3 Parts of Axillary Artery: In relation to Pectoralis Minor muscle

1. 1st part: Proximal
2. 2nd part: Posterior
3. 3rd part: Distal

Branches of Axillary Artery

Mnemonic:
1. 1st part gives 1 branch; 2nd part gives 2 branches and 3rd part gives 3 branches.
2. Remember S AL SAP

1. 1st part: S

• Superior thoracic artery

2. 2nd part: AL

• Acromio-thoracic artery
• Lateral thoracic artery

3. 3rd part: SAP

• Subscapular artery
  • Circumflex scapular artery travels through the triangular space
• Anterior circumflex humeral artery (ACHA)
• Posterior circumflex humeral artery (PCHA)
  • PHCA travels through the quadrangular space

Important muscular spaces in the shoulder can be remembered using a 2 hand, 2 finger intersection analogy as described here.

Further 4 branches of acromio-thoracic artery can be remembered using the mnemonic:

Mnemonic: ABCD

1. Acromial
2. Breast (pectoral)
3. Clavicular
4. Deltoid