2. Review of the upper limb Flashcards
What are the bones of the shoulder?
Clavicle
Scapula
Humerus
What are the joints of the shoulder?
Glenohumeral
Sternoclavular
Acromoclavicular
What is the pectoral girdle?
Consists of the clavicle and the scapula
What provides strength to the glenohumeral joint and allows movement?
Muscles provide the strength rather than ligaments
These also allow for wide range of movement e.g. rotator cuff muscles
What is the role of the rotator cuff muscles in movement of the glenohumeral joint?
Rotator cuff muscles are tonically active to pull the head of the humerus into the glenoid cavity to provide stability upon movement
What is the blood supply of the upper limb?
Subclavian artery
Axillary artery
Brachial artery
Profunda brachii artery branch to the posterior compartment of arm and triceps
What are the veins of the upper limb?
Deep veins parallel the arteries
Superficial veins are the cephalic, basilic and median cubital veins
Draw out the brachial plexus
Draw out the brachial plexus
What are the nerve roots of the musculocutaneous nerve?
C5, C6, C7
What are the nerve roots of the median nerve?
C5, C6, C7, C8, T1
What are the nerve roots of the radial nerve?
C5, C6, C7, C8, T1
What are the nerve roots of the axillary nerve?
C5, C6, C7, C8, T1
What are the nerve roots of the ulnar nerve?
C8, T1, occasionally C7
What does the musculocutaneous nerve innervate?
Innervates the anterior compartment of the arm i.e. the biceps
What does the median nerve innervate?
Innervates the anterior compartment of the forearm (passes through the carpal tunnel)
(two exceptions - done by the ulnar)
What does the radial nerve innervate?
Posterior compartment of the arm (triceps) and posterior compartment of forearm (extension of digits)
What does the axillary nerve innervate?
Deltoids
Teres minor
Axilla
What does the ulnar nerve innervate?
Flexor carpi ulnaris and flexor digitorum profundus (the two exceptions from the anterior compartment of the arm)
Also the muscles of the little finger
Are the nerves of the brachial plexus sensory or motor?
They are mixed motor and sensory
What are the two main clinical conditions that can occur at the shoulder?
Break/fracture of the clavicle
Dislocated shoulder
How does a break/fracture of the clavicle occur?
Can occur by direct or indirect force
Direct - something falls onto the shoulder or hits the front of the pectoral girdle
Indirect - person falls forwards and puts their hands out to catch their fall - force travels up the upper limb to the shoulder
What is the clinical significance of a fracture to the clavicle?
All of the arteries to the upper limb pass under the clavicle and so a fracture can result in an obstruction of the blood flow
If there is a lack of sensation of the arm or an absence of pulses - the blood supply is being cut off and this is a medical emergency
How will a fracture to the clavicle present?
Shoulder droops down
Reduced width of shoulder
The shoulder of the broken clavicle will drop due to gravity pulling down on the limb (generally)
Should notice a reduced width of the shoulder in which the clavicle is fractured
What is the clinical significance of a dislocated shoulder?
Dislocation of the glenohumeral joint is the most common
Reoccurence rate from minor trauma is very very high e.g. sleeping funny can dislocate it again
How will a dislocated shoulder present?
Lose the rounded profile of the shoulder
Square appearance of the shoulder
The acromion becomes more prominent and visible
What are the two main clinical conditions that can occur at the shoulder?
Break/fracture of the clavicle
Dislocated shoulder
How does a break/fracture of the clavicle occur?
Can occur by direct or indirect force
Direct - something falls onto the shoulder or hits the front of the pectoral girdle
Indirect - person falls forwards and puts their hands out to catch their fall - force travels up the upper limb to the shoulder
What is the clinical significance of a fracture to the clavicle?
All of the arteries to the upper limb pass under the clavicle and so a fracture can result in an obstruction of the blood flow
If there is a lack of sensation of the arm or an absence of pulses - the blood supply is being cut off and this is a medical emergency
How will a fracture to the clavicle present?
The shoulder of the broken clavicle will drop due to gravity pulling down on the limb (generally - some may hold their shoulder up)
Should notice a reduced width of the shoulder in which the clavicle is fractured
What is the most common joint to dislocate?
Dislocation of the glenohumeral joint is the most common
How will a dislocated shoulder present?
Lose the rounded profile of the shoulder
The weight of the arm will pull the humerus, forearm and hand inferiorly - all dragged down
Stretching of the deltoid muscle - square appearance of the shoulder
Acromium becomes more visible - usually hidden by the deltoid
What is important about the reoccurrence rate of a glenohumeral dislocation?
Reoccurrence rate from minor trauma is very very high e.g. sleeping funny can dislocate it again