Clavipectoral fascia

Location and attachment

The clavipectoral fascia lies deep in the infraclavicular region and is part of the pectoral fascia (fascia pectoralis).

• Superiorly — originates from the clavicle (clavicula) and the coracoid process of the scapula.
• Medially — originates near the origin of the pectoralis minor muscle.
• Inferiorly and laterally — fuses with the deep lamina of the fascia of the pectoralis major muscle (fascia m. pectoralis major) at its lateral margin.

What structures does it form and cover?

The clavipectoral fascia participates in the formation of topographic spaces of the anterior chest wall and axillary region:

• Muscle sheaths — forms osteofascial sheaths for the pectoralis minor (m. pectoralis minor) and subclavius (m. subclavius) muscles.
• Subpectoral space (spatium subpectorale) — the fascia forms the posterior wall of this fascial space. The anterior wall is formed by the deep lamina of the pectoralis major fascia.
• Anterior wall of the axillary fossa — together with the pectoralis major and minor muscles, the fascia forms and reinforces the anterior wall of the axillary cavity.
• Suspensory ligament of the axilla (lig. suspensorium axillae, Gerdy's ligament) — is a derivative of the clavipectoral fascia. It attaches to the inner surface of the axillary fascia along the border of the pectoralis major muscle and pulls the superficial fascia upward, forming the axillary fossa.

What passes through the clavipectoral fascia?

The clavipectoral fascia is stretched between the clavicle and the apex of the axilla; vessels and nerves pass through it.

• Branches of the thoracoacromial artery (a. thoracoacromialis) — the deltoid, pectoral, and acromial branches pierce the fascia and head toward the respective muscles.
• Cephalic vein (v. cephalica) — passes through the fascia from the deltopectoral groove (sulcus deltoideopectoralis) into the axillary fossa and drains into the axillary vein (v. axillaris).

Topography of the infraclavicular region layers

In the topography of the infraclavicular region, the clavipectoral fascia belongs to the fasciae and fascial spaces located together with the subpectoral space, pectoral fascia, axillary fascia, endothoracic fascia, and the adipose tissue of the axillary fossa.

In relation to the subpectoral space:

1. The pectoralis major muscle (m. pectoralis major) lies superficial to the subpectoral space.
2. The subpectoral space (spatium subpectorale) lies deep to the pectoralis major muscle and contains adipose tissue.
3. The clavipectoral fascia (fascia clavipectoralis) lies even deeper, beneath the subpectoral space.
4. The clavipectoral fascia forms a sheath for the pectoralis minor muscle (m. pectoralis minor).

The internal structures of the infraclavicular region include the axillary artery and vein (a. et v. axillares) and the parietal pleura (pleura parietalis).

Clinical significance

Purulent processes can spread from the infraclavicular region into the axillary fossa:

• Through a defect in the posterior wall of the subpectoral space — the clavipectoral fascia.
• Along the course of the branches of the thoracoacromial artery piercing the clavipectoral fascia.

Class and exam questions

What else to study on this topic

• Pectoralis minor muscle (m. pectoralis minor)
• Subpectoral space (spatium subpectorale)
• Thoracoacromial artery (a. thoracoacromialis)
• Axillary fascia (fascia axillaris)

Other topics in the "Anatomical Structures" section

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