IJAR.2017.296

Type of Article:  Original Research

Volume 5; Issue 3.2 (August 2017)

Page No.: 4242-4246

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.16965/ijar.2017.296

STUDY OF VARIATIONS IN THE ORIGIN OF AXILLARY NERVE FROM THE POSTERIOR CORD OF BRACHIAL PLEXUS AND ITS CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

Suman Tiwari *1, Jyothi N Nayak 2.

*1 Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, MVJ Medical College & Research Hospital, Bangalore, India.

2 Tutor, Department of Anatomy, MVJ Medical College & Research Hospital, Bangalore, India.

Address for correspondence: Dr. Suman Tiwari, Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, MVJ Medical College & Research Hospital, Hosakote, Bangalore-562114, Karnataka, India.  E-Mail: sumanravi80@gmail.com 

ABSTRACT

Background: Axillary nerve, one of the terminal branches of posterior cord of brachial plexus is more prone for iatrogenic injuries. Lack of proper anatomical knowledge and variations of axillary nerve leads to an increased risk of nerve injuries. The present study describes the origin of axillary nerve, its distance of origin from anteromedial aspect of coracoid process, posterolateral aspect of acromion process, and its termination.

Material and Methods: 50 brachial plexuses from 25 adult embalmed human cadavers of both the sexes were studied by dissection method at the Department of Anatomy, MVJ Medical College, Bangalore.

Results: In 41(82%) specimens, axillary nerve originated from the posterior cord of brachial plexus and in   9(18%) specimens axillary nerve originated as a common trunk along with thoracodorsal & lower subscapular or thoracodorsal, upper & lower subscapular, or only with lower subscapular nerve from the posterior cord of brachial plexus. The mean distance of origin of axillary nerve from the anteromedial aspect of coracoid process and posterolateral aspect of acromion process is 3.67cm & 6.43cm respectively. The axillary nerve terminated into anterior and posterior divisions within quadrangular space in all the specimens.

Conclusion:  Knowledge of variations of axillary nerve is of immense significance to clinicians, anaesthetists and orthopaedic surgeons during surgical exploration of neck, axilla and upper arm, fracture of surgical neck of humerus, shoulder dislocation and infraclavicular brachial plexus block.

Key words: Axillary nerve, Acromion process, Coracoid process, Thoracodorsal, Lower subscapular.

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Cite this article: Suman Tiwari, Jyothi N Nayak. STUDY OF VARIATIONS IN THE ORIGIN OF AXILLARY NERVE FROM THE POSTERIOR CORD OF BRACHIAL PLEXUS AND ITS CLINICAL IMPORTANCE. Int J Anat Res 2017;5(3.2):4242-4246. DOI: 10.16965/ijar.2017.296