Accessory muscles of the anterior thoracic wall and axilla. Cadaveric, surgical and radiological incidence and clinical significance during breast and axillary surgery

Background: The present study aims to summarise the accessory muscles of the anterior thoracic wall and axilla that can be encountered during breast and axillary surgery and record their incidence and clinical significance. Moreover, the laterality of the atypical muscles is highlighted and possible gender dimorphism is referred. Accessory anterior thoracic wall muscles include: Langer’s axillary arch, sternalis muscle, chondrocoracoideus, chondroepitrochlearis, chondrofascialis, pectoralis minimus, pectoralis quartus and pectoralis intermedius. Materials and methods: The anatomical, surgical and radiological literaturę has been reviewed and an anatomical study on 48 Greek adult cadavers was performed. Results: Literature review revealed the existence of accessory muscles of the anterior thoracic wall and axilla that have a significant incidence that can be considered high and may, therefore, have clinical significance. For the most common of these muscles, which are axillary arch (Langer’s) and sternalis muscle, the cadaveric incidence is 10.30% and 7.67%, respectively. In the current cadaveric study, accessory thoracic wall muscles were identified in two cadavers; namely a bilateral sternalis muscle (incidence 2.08%) extending both to the anterior and posterior surface of the sternum and a left-sided chondrocoracoideus muscle (of Wood) (incidence 2.08%). Conclusions: Despite the fact that accessory anterior thoracic wall and axillary muscles are considered to be rare, it is evident that the incidence of at least some of them is high enough to encounter them in clinical practice. Thus, clinicians’ awareness of these anatomical structures is advisable

Accessory muscles of the anterior thoracic wall and axilla. Cadaveric, surgical and radiological incidence and clinical significance during breast and axillary surgery

Background: The present study aims to summarise the accessory muscles of the anterior thoracic wall and axilla that can be encountered during breast and axillary surgery and record their incidence and clinical significance. Moreover, the laterality of the atypical muscles is highlighted and possible gender dimorphism is referred. Accessory anterior thoracic wall muscles include: Langer's axillary arch, sternalis muscle, chondrocoracoideus, chondroepitrochlearis, chondrofascialis, pectoralis minimus, pectoralis quartus and pectoralis intermedius. Materials and methods: The anatomical, surgical and radiological literature has been reviewed and an anatomical study on 48 Greek adult cadavers was performed. Results: Literature review revealed the existence of accessory muscles of the anterior thoracic wall and axilla that have a significant incidence that can be considered high and may, therefore, have clinical significance. For the most common of these muscles, which are axillary arch (Langer's) and sternalis muscle, the cadaveric incidence is 10.30% and 7.67%, respectively. In the current cadaveric study, accessory thoracic wall muscles were identified in two cadavers; namely a bilateral sternalis muscle (incidence 2.08%) extending both to the anterior and posterior surface of the sternum and a left-sided chondrocoracoideus muscle (of Wood) (incidence 2.08%). Conclusions: Despite the fact that accessory anterior thoracic wall and axillary muscles are considered to be rare, it is evident that the incidence of at least some of them is high enough to encounter them in clinical practice. Thus, clinicians' awareness of these anatomical structures is advisable. Copyright © 2019 Via Medica

The chondrocoracoideus muscle: A rare anatomical variant of the pectoral area

OBJECTIVE: The study adds important information regarding the descriptive anatomy of a very rarely reported unilateral chondrocoracoideus muscle (of Wood). Additionally it highlights the concomitant muscular and neural alterations. CASE REPORT: The current case presents the occurrence of a chondrocoracoideus muscle situated left-sided, as an extension of the abdominal portion of the pectoralis major muscle (PM). The chondrocoracoideus coexisted with a contralateral atypical PM, partially blended with the clavicular fibers of the deltoid muscle. There was an accessory head of the biceps brachii while the palmaris longus was absent on the right side of a 78-year-old Greek male cadaver. CONCLUSION: The above mentioned muscular abnormalities are shown as disturbances of embryological pectoral muscle development, and their documentation is essential in order to increase awareness among clinicians of their potential impact on the diagnosis and treatment of several pathologies. Copyright © 2017 by Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina