6.1 UL Nerves & Vessels

Question 1

What are the superficial veins in the hand?

Answer 1

cephalic-lateral, thumb
basilic-medial, pinkie
median cubital

Question 2

What are the upper limb arteries?

Answer 2

Subclavian
Axilliary
Brachial-> ulnar & radial artery

Question 3

Upper Limb nerves
where does the UL receive its nerve supply?
where does it arise? which segments?

Answer 3

Upper Limb nerves
The UL receives it’s nerve supply from the ‘brachial plexus’
- arises from cervical and thoracic spinal cord ‘segments’ (C5-T1)
- via ‘anterior’ rami

Question 4

Musculocutaneous nerve

what muscles/skin does it innervate?

Answer 4

AF- arm (humerus)

Arises from C5,C6, C7
Supplies anterior compartment of arm
Muscles: flexors of elbow
Skin: to lateral aspect of forearm

Question 5

Median Nerve

what muscles/skin does it innervate?

Answer 5

AF- forearm + thumb 3.5

Arises from C5,C6, C7, C8, T1
Supplies anterior compartment of forearm
Muscles: most anterior compartment forearm muscles - passes under carpal tunnel
- also supplies most muscles of thumb

Skin: palmar 3.5 digits + nail beds
- susceptible to compression in carpal tunnel - note: carpal tunnel syndrome

Question 6

Ulnar Nerve

what muscles/skin does it innervate?

Answer 6

AF hand+pinkie 1.5

Arises from C8, T1
Supplies the hand
Muscles: most intrinsic muscles of the hand
Skin: passes superficial to flexor retinaculum
- medial 1.5 digits (both palmar & dorsal)
- susceptible to injury: at medial epicondyle
against handlebar of bike

Question 7

Axillary nerve

what muscles/skin does it innervate?

Answer 7

EP deltoid

Arises from C5, C6
Supplies the shoulder
Muscles:main abductor muscle, deltoid
Skin
- over shoulder (military badge area)
Susceptible to injury:
in shoulder dislocation
in fracture of surgical neck

Question 8

Radial nerve

what muscles/skin does it innervate?

Answer 8

EP arm and forearm
extension of elbow, fingers and wrist

Arises from C5, C6, C7, C8, T1
Supplies posterior compartments of the arm and forearm

Muscles

• extensor muscles of arm & forearm
• triceps, posterior forearm muscles

Skin
- posterior skin of arm & forearm
- part of back of hand
runs across the shaft of humerus, between med & lat heads of triceps
susceptible to damage in: humeral shaft fracture
compression (Saturday night palsy) ‘wrist drop’