Variable Origin of Axillary Artery Branches in Indian Male Cadaver- A Case Report

In clinical and surgical procedures, the variable origins of the axillary artery branches are significant for identifying uncommon signs and symptoms. The present case report documents an unusual origin of the axillary artery branches during dissection of a male cadaver in the Anatomy Department of an undergraduate and postgraduate teaching medical college in India. Normally, the superior thoracic artery arises from the first part of the axillary artery. In the present case, the second part of the axillary artery gave rise to a common trunk, from which the thoracoacromial, lateral thoracic, and subscapular arteries originated. Further, the thoracodorsal, circumflex humeral, and posterior circumflex humeral arteries originate from the subscapular artery whereas the anterior circumflex humeral artery only originates from the third part of the axillary artery. During surgical procedures performed in the region of the axilla, anatomists, radiologists, and cardiologists need to be aware of variations in the origin of axillary artery branches.