The axillary lines are the anterior axillary line, midaxillary line and the posterior axillary line.
The anterior axillary line
is a
coronal line on the anterior torso marked by the
anterior axillary fold
The axilla (also, armpit, underarm or oxter) is the area on the human body directly under the shoulder joint. It includes the axillary space, an anatomical space within the shoulder girdle between the arm and the thoracic cage, bounded superior ...
. It's the imaginary line that runs down from the point midway between the middle of the
clavicle
The clavicle, or collarbone, is a slender, S-shaped long bone approximately 6 inches (15 cm) long that serves as a strut between the shoulder blade and the sternum (breastbone). There are two clavicles, one on the left and one on the r ...
and the lateral end of the clavicle.
The V
5 ECG lead is placed on the anterior axillary line, horizontally even with V
4.
The midaxillary line is a coronal line on the torso between the anterior and posterior axillary lines.
It is a landmark used in
thoracentesis
Thoracentesis , also known as thoracocentesis (from Greek ''thōrax'' 'chest, thorax'—GEN ''thōrakos''—and ''kentēsis'' 'pricking, puncture'), pleural tap, needle thoracostomy, or needle decompression (often used term), is an invasive med ...
,
and the V6 electrode of the 10 electrode ECG.
The posterior axillary line is a coronal line on the posterior torso marked by the
posterior axillary fold
The axilla (also, armpit, underarm or oxter) is the area on the human body directly under the shoulder joint. It includes the axillary space, an anatomical space within the shoulder girdle between the arm and the thoracic cage, bounded superiorl ...
.
Additional images
File:Axillary lines.png, The left side of the thorax with lines labeled
See also
*
List of anatomical lines
References
External links
* http://www.meddean.luc.edu/Lumen/MedEd/MEDICINE/PULMONAR/apd/lines.htm
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Anatomy