What is the anatomical guide for the axillary artery?

• A. Located just beneath the pectoralis major muscle
• B. Located just behind the medial border of the coracobrachialis muscle
• C. Located near the brachial plexus
• D. Located within the axillary space

Answer: (B)

The axillary artery is anatomically guided by its position relative to the coracobrachialis muscle. Specifically, it is situated just behind the medial border of this muscle, which provides a reliable point of reference for embalming and surgical procedures. Understanding this specific location is critical for practitioners as it helps in identifying the artery for administration of embalming fluids or for surgical interventions.

The coracobrachialis muscle is a landmark in the upper arm, found deep to the pectoralis major muscle, which means that while option A references the area related to the pectoralis major, it does not provide the precise location of the axillary artery. Although the brachial plexus is situated in the same general region, option C does not pinpoint the artery's anatomical pathway accurately. Additionally, stating that the axillary artery is within the axillary space, while somewhat true, is not as specific as identifying its relationship to the coracobrachialis muscle. Therefore, recognizing the exact anatomical guide is crucial for effective practice in mortuary science and embalming.