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The lateral thoracic artery revisited

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy volume 36, pages 543–549 (2014)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Although the variations in the origin of the branches of the axillary and subclavian arteries have been well documented, little information regarding the highly variable lateral thoracic artery (LTA) is available. Descriptions of the LTA variations may prove useful during procedures of the lateral aspects of the thorax such as reconstructive plastic surgery and modified radical mastectomy.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to examine the anatomy of the LTA and offer an accurate account of its variability.

Methods

The entire course and distribution of the LTA was examined in 420 formalin-fixed adult human cadavers.

Results

The LTA was found in 96.7 % of the specimens, showing great morphological variability and classified into six types according to its origin. The most common type was where the LTA arose from the thoracoacromial artery (Type I 67.62 %). In decreasing order of incidence were origins from: the axillary artery (Type II 17.02 %), the thoracodorsal artery (Type III 5 %), and the subscapular artery (Type IV 3.93 %). Additionally, multiple LTAs were present (Type V 3.09 %) and complete absence of LTA (Type VI 3.33 %) was observed.

Conclusion

Despite variations in origin of the vessels, our dissections demonstrated that the ultimate tissue distribution of the LTA remained typical in the vast majority of the specimens and descended on the lateral border of the pectoralis minor. Our results illustrate the need for re-evaluation of the branches of the thoracoacromial artery with possible consideration that the LTA arises from it, instead of directly from the axillary artery. We hope that the information supplied by this study will provide useful information to anatomists and surgeons alike.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Jessica Holland, MS, Medical Illustrator in the Department of Anatomical Sciences, St Georges University, Grenada, West Indies, for the creation of her illustrations used in this publication. The authors would like to express their gratitude to the individuals who donated their remains for use in medical school education and research, without whom this publication would not be possible.

Conflict of interest

There are no conflicts of interest for any of the authors involved.

Ethical considerations

All specimens were handled in accordance with the ethical guidelines and laws laid out by the institution and country in which the research was conducted.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, St. George University, St. George, Grenada, West Indies

    Marios Loukas, Maira du Plessis, Deyzi Gueorguieva Owens, C. Robert Litchfield, Alpen Nacar, Olivia Lu & R. Shane Tubbs

  2. Department of General Surgery, St. Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA

    Christopher R. Kinsella Jr

  3. Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Children’s Hospital, Birmingham, AL, USA

    R. Shane Tubbs

Authors
  1. Marios Loukas
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  2. Maira du Plessis
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  3. Deyzi Gueorguieva Owens
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  4. Christopher R. Kinsella Jr
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  5. C. Robert Litchfield
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  6. Alpen Nacar
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  7. Olivia Lu
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Correspondence to Marios Loukas.

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Loukas, M., du Plessis, M., Owens, D.G. et al. The lateral thoracic artery revisited. Surg Radiol Anat 36, 543–549 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-013-1234-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-013-1234-x

Keywords

  • Lateral thoracic artery
  • Pectoralis major myocutaneous flap
  • Blood supply to breast
  • Axillary artery branches