During surgery for a right breast carcinoma, a branch arising from the second part of the axillary artery is ligated. Which of the following branches arises from the second part of the axillary artery?
- A Superior thoracic artery
- B Subscapular artery
- C Thoracoacromial artery ✓
- D Anterior circumflex humeral artery
Correct answer: C. Thoracoacromial artery
Explanation
The axillary artery has three parts defined by its relation to pectoralis minor. The first part gives only the superior thoracic artery. The second part, deep to pectoralis minor, gives two branches, the thoracoacromial and lateral thoracic arteries. The third part gives three branches, the subscapular, and the anterior and posterior circumflex humeral arteries. Subscapular and anterior circumflex humeral therefore belong to the third part, not the second.
Reference: Gray's Anatomy for Students, 4th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.