title: A fan-shaped axillopectoral muscle: an unusual variant of the axillary arch.
abstract: The axillary arch is a vestigial muscle in the axilla, which originates from the latissimus dorsi and inserts into the pectoralis major tendon. The aim of this article is to describe a fan-shaped variant of the axillary arch and its clinical implications. We present a patient who underwent an axillary node dissection during which, a fan-shaped axillopectoral muscle measuring 8 cm by 6 cm was encountered. It was disinserted to provide exposure of the axilla.
authors.affiliation: Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Chay-You
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Ang
authors.forename: Siew-Weng
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Bien-Keem
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Tan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001365:Axilla / Q000002:abnormalities*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000002:abnormalities*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology