Axillary Arch Muscle: A Cadaveric Observation in an Elderly Population
Document Type
Poster
Start Date
28-4-2026 12:00 PM
End Date
28-4-2026 2:00 PM
Description
Background: The axillary arch (also known as Langer’s arch) is a recognized muscular variation extending from the latissimus dorsi to structures in the anterior axilla. Although generally considered uncommon, reported prevalence varies widely across cadaveric and imaging studies. Understanding its frequency and presentation is important for anatomical education and clinical practice.
Methods: Upper limb dissections were performed on 24 embalmed cadavers (16 males, 8 females) aged 61–92 years. The sample included 22 Caucasian cadavers and 2 African American cadavers (both male). Standard axillary dissections were conducted to identify muscular variations, with particular attention to the presence, laterality, and morphology of the axillary arch muscle.
Results: An axillary arch was identified in one cadaver (4.2%), a 73-year-old male, presenting unilaterally on the left side. No axillary arch was observed on the contralateral side. The remaining 23 cadavers demonstrated no comparable muscular variation within the axilla. No axillary arch was identified in female cadavers or in the two African American cadavers. The observed muscle originated from the latissimus dorsi and coursed superiorly and anteriorly across the axillary plexus to insert on the tendon of long head of biceps.
Conclusion: The observed prevalence of the axillary arch in this cadaveric cohort was low and consistent with reports describing the variation as uncommon. This finding reinforces the importance of exposing students to anatomical variability during cadaveric dissection and highlights the need for clinician awareness, as such variants may alter expected neurovascular relationships in the axilla
Recommended Citation
Armbruster, Matthew; Macdonald, Nolan; and Bernard, Zachery, "Axillary Arch Muscle: A Cadaveric Observation in an Elderly Population" (2026). School of Allied Health Professions Research Day. 33.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/ahrd/2026/posters/33
Axillary Arch Muscle: A Cadaveric Observation in an Elderly Population
Background: The axillary arch (also known as Langer’s arch) is a recognized muscular variation extending from the latissimus dorsi to structures in the anterior axilla. Although generally considered uncommon, reported prevalence varies widely across cadaveric and imaging studies. Understanding its frequency and presentation is important for anatomical education and clinical practice.
Methods: Upper limb dissections were performed on 24 embalmed cadavers (16 males, 8 females) aged 61–92 years. The sample included 22 Caucasian cadavers and 2 African American cadavers (both male). Standard axillary dissections were conducted to identify muscular variations, with particular attention to the presence, laterality, and morphology of the axillary arch muscle.
Results: An axillary arch was identified in one cadaver (4.2%), a 73-year-old male, presenting unilaterally on the left side. No axillary arch was observed on the contralateral side. The remaining 23 cadavers demonstrated no comparable muscular variation within the axilla. No axillary arch was identified in female cadavers or in the two African American cadavers. The observed muscle originated from the latissimus dorsi and coursed superiorly and anteriorly across the axillary plexus to insert on the tendon of long head of biceps.
Conclusion: The observed prevalence of the axillary arch in this cadaveric cohort was low and consistent with reports describing the variation as uncommon. This finding reinforces the importance of exposing students to anatomical variability during cadaveric dissection and highlights the need for clinician awareness, as such variants may alter expected neurovascular relationships in the axilla