Abnormal branching of the axillary artery: an axillo-hepatic artery

Abstract

The axillary artery is a continuation of the subclavian at the outer border of first rib. Reports of anatomic variations of the axillary artery encountered during cadaveric dissection are not uncommon. However, abnormal branching patterns of the axillary artery identified on imaging studies are rare. We encountered an abnormal branch of the right axillary artery, which descended along the lateral thoraco-abdominal wall and gave off branches to the liver capsule before terminating at the level of the ipsilateral iliac crest. Knowledge of this variation, which we term the axillo-hepatic artery, will be of interest to anatomists, radiologists and adult- and pediatric- surgeons operating on the upper chest and abdominal regions. To our knowledge, such a vessel has not been reported previously in the extant medical literature.