Brachial Plexus Flashcards
Brachial plexus
network of somatic nerves formed by union of cervical ventral rami C5-T1
All somatic plexuses are formed by:
ventral rami of spinal nerves
responsible for:
innervating most of the upper limb
originates:
runs:
in the cervical region
distal - laterally
inferior to the clavicle
enters the axilla
5 Major components
Roots (the ventral rami of spinal nerves) Trunks (superior, middle, inferior) Divisions (anterior, posterior) Cords (medial, lateral, posterior) Terminal Nerves (aka terminal branches)
Roots
ventral rami from spinal nerves C5-T1
variable contributions from C4 and T2
Roots carry both:
somatomotor and somatosensory fibers
Roots emerge from:
in the neck between the anterior scalene and middle scalene muscles
Roots give off:
the dorsal scapular nerve (C5) long thoracic nerve (C5-C7) phrenic nerve (supplies the diaphragm)
Roots unite to form
three trunks
upper, middle, lower trunks
proximal to clavicle
Upper trunk formed by:
union of ventral rami C5-C6
Lower trunk formed by:
union of ventral rami C8-T1
Middle trunk formed by:
ventral ramus of C7
Upper trunk only trunk that:
gives rise to nerve branches
those nerve branches are
- Suprascapular nerve (supplies Supra&Infraspinatus)
2. Nerve to subclavius
Three Trunks split into
divisions
Divisions have
anterior division
posterior division
may be:
proximal to the clavicle or
between the clavicle and first rib
there are no
branches formed off the divisions
Three cords are:
named according to:
Lateral, Medial, Posterior
according to their position relative to the axillary artery (major artery to the upper limb)
It becomes the axillary artery when:
the subclavian artery emerges distal-laterally from under the clavicle