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Langer’s axillary arch: a rare variant, and prevalence among Caucasians
Affiliations- Institute of Medical and Biomedical Education (Anatomy), St. George’s, University of London, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
open access
Abstract
During the dissection of a 79-year-old Caucasian female cadaver, a variant of Langer’s axillary arch was found unilaterally in the left axilla. While Langer’s axillary arches are not uncommon, this particular variant, attaching to the biceps brachii, is much rarer with a reported prevalence of only 0.25%. The case reported here, however, is only the third example of a Langer’s axillary arch that has been found in the last 14 years in the Dissecting Room at St. George’s, University of London, giving it an overall prevalence of approximately 1.0% amongst a population of around 280 Caucasian cadavers, much lower than the reported frequency of 7%. Langer’s axillary arches can be completely asymptomatic in life, but may also cause a variety of issues both clinically and surgically.
Abstract
During the dissection of a 79-year-old Caucasian female cadaver, a variant of Langer’s axillary arch was found unilaterally in the left axilla. While Langer’s axillary arches are not uncommon, this particular variant, attaching to the biceps brachii, is much rarer with a reported prevalence of only 0.25%. The case reported here, however, is only the third example of a Langer’s axillary arch that has been found in the last 14 years in the Dissecting Room at St. George’s, University of London, giving it an overall prevalence of approximately 1.0% amongst a population of around 280 Caucasian cadavers, much lower than the reported frequency of 7%. Langer’s axillary arches can be completely asymptomatic in life, but may also cause a variety of issues both clinically and surgically.
Keywords
axillary arch variant, oncoplastic surgery, lymphadenectomy
About this articleTitle
Langer’s axillary arch: a rare variant, and prevalence among Caucasians
Journal
Issue
Article type
Case report
Pages
536-539
Published online
2017-03-03
Page views
1601
Article views/downloads
1239
DOI
Pubmed
Bibliographic record
Folia Morphol 2017;76(3):536-539.
Keywords
axillary arch variant
oncoplastic surgery
lymphadenectomy
Authors
M. A. Turki
P. J. Adds
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