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AXILLARY ARCH: ANATOMY AND SIGNIFICANCE IN CLINICAL PRACTICE
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Abstract
“Axillary arch” (AA), also known as “Langer arch”, originally described in 1783 and confirmed by Langer in 1846. The presence of the arch in approximately 7% of individuals, even a prevalence of up to 27%. It commonly arises from the latissimus dorsi and extends variably across the axilla as muscular or tendinous bundles, but since it has no functional signicance,many variations in origin, insertion, course and size may occur. It is important that surgeons operating in the axilla are aware of this not uncommon anatomical variant. When present, axillary arch should always be accurately identied and formally divided to allow adequate exposure of axillary contents in order to achieve a complete lymphatic dissection and preserve vascular, lymphatic and nervous structures.
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References
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