Quadrangular space
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Through Signs and symptoms and Skeletal muscle
Structure
The quadrangular space is one of the three spaces in the axillary space.
Boundaries
The quadrangular space is defined by:
- above/superior: teres minor muscle.
- below/inferior: teres major muscle.
- medially: long head of the triceps brachii muscle (lateral margin).
- laterally: surgical neck of the humerus.
- anteriorly: subscapularis muscle.
Contents
The quadrangular space transmits the axillary nerve, the posterior humeral circumflex artery and the posterior circumflex humeral vein.
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Clinical significance
The quadrangular space is a clinically important anatomic space in the arm as it provides the anterior regions of the axilla a passageway to the posterior regions. In the quadrangular space, the axillary nerve and the posterior humeral circumflex artery can be compressed or damaged due to space-occupying lesions or disruption in the anatomy due to trauma. Other common causes of axillary nerve compression at the quadrangular space include local compression due to osteophytes which are common in osteoarthritis, shoulder dislocations, fractures of the humeral neck, repetitive use, and external pressure (such as from crutches). Symptoms of axillary nerve compression include axillary nerve related weakness of the deltoid muscle (shoulder abduction) and teres minor (external rotation of the arm) as well as numbness of the lateral shoulder. The quadrangular space is the most common site of axillary nerve compression.
History
The quadrangular space is so named because the three skeletal muscles and one long bone that form its boundaries leave a space in the shape of a complete quadrangle.
The quadrangular space is also known as the quadrilateral space, the quadrilateral space of Velpeau, and the foramen humerotricipitale.