Langer’s axillary arch (axillopectoral muscle): a variation of latissimus dorsi muscleos ilium. The axillary arch is a variant muscular slip of this muscle

Sinan BAKIRCI, Ilker Mustafa K

Abstract

Langer’s axillary arch (axillopectoral muscle) is a variant muscular structure of the axilla which was described under various names as Langer’s muscle, axillary arch or muscular axillary arch by different authors. During routine dissections, we found a muscular slip on the right axillary fossa that originated from latissimus dorsi muscle and attached to the deep surface of the tendon of pectoralis major muscle, and described it as Langer’s axillary arch. Arterial, venous and nervous structures passed under this muscular slip which constitutes an arch in the axillary fossa. Although axillary arch is not very rare, it is generally neglected and not explored or described well. It has immense clinical and morphologic importance for surgical operations performed on axillary region; thus, surgeons should well be aware of its possible existence.