A Rare variation of axillary artery

The axillary artery, a continuation of the subclavian artery, begins at the outer border of first
rib, and ends nominally at the inferior border of teres major muscle where it becomes the brachial
artery. During the dissection of a 30-35-year-old man cadaver, according to classical anatomy
method (Grant’s method), we found an unusual branching in the second part of the axillary artery
on the right side. The second part of axillary artery had a common branch, from which a lateral
thoracic and subscapular artery was originated. This is an infrequent variation that has not been
reported in the anatomy references, as yet.
The increasing use of invasive diagnostic and interventional procedures in cardiovascular
diseases, as well use of branches of upper limb arteries for coronary bypass and flaps in
reconstructive surgery. Therefore, accurate knowledge of normal and variant arterial pattern of the
upper extremities, for example axillary artery, is very important for medical specialists particularly
anatomists and surgeons. Awareness of such variations can help surgeons to reduce the
postoperative complications.