The axillary artery is a major blood vessel that runs through the axilla, or armpit, as the continuation of the subclavian artery. It becomes the brachial artery at the lower border of the teres major muscle. In vascular ultrasound, the axillary artery is evaluated as part of upper extremity arterial studies, particularly when investigating symptoms like arm pain, coolness, or numbness that might suggest arterial blockage. Doppler assessment of the axillary artery can reveal stenosis from atherosclerosis, compression from thoracic outlet syndrome, or altered flow patterns caused by proximal or distal disease.
Sonography Term