Coexistence of a pectoralis quartus muscle and an unusual axillary arch: Case report and review

A pectoralis quartus muscle and an unusual axillary arch were found on the left side of a female cadaver. The axillary arch was a musculoaponeurotic complex continuous with the iliacal fibers of the latissimus dorsi. The muscular part, together with the tendon of pectoralis major, inserted into the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical anatomy (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2002-08, Vol.15 (5), p.366-370
Main Authors: Bonastre, Victoria, Rodríguez-Niedenführ, Marc, Choi, David, Sañudo, José R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Autopsy
Axilla - abnormalities
Female
human muscular variations
Humans
latissimus dorsi
pectoralis major
Pectoralis Muscles - abnormalities
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Summary:A pectoralis quartus muscle and an unusual axillary arch were found on the left side of a female cadaver. The axillary arch was a musculoaponeurotic complex continuous with the iliacal fibers of the latissimus dorsi. The muscular part, together with the tendon of pectoralis major, inserted into the lateral lip of the bicipital groove of the humerus, whereas the aponeurotic part was formed by a fibrous band that extended deep to the pectoralis major to insert into the coracoid process between the attachments of the coracobrachialis and pectoralis minor. The pectoralis quartus originated from the rectus sheath, and joined the inferior medial border of the fibrous band of the axillary arch, at the lateral edge of the pectoralis major. The axillary arch muscle crossed anteriorly the axillary vessels and the brachial plexus. The clinical importance of these muscles is reviewed. Clin. Anat. 15:366–370, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
ISSN:0897-3806
1098-2353
DOI:10.1002/ca.10053