brachial plexus and upper nerve lesions Flashcards
long thoracic nerve roots
C5 C6 C7
innervation to serrates anterior
long thoracic nerve
wing scapula, inability to stabilize scapula
long thoracic nerve
suprascapular nerve innervation
supraspinatus and infraspinatus
damage to the suprascauplar nerve causes muscle weakness where
weak abduction to supraspinatus weak lateral (external) rotation of shoulder infraspainatus
thoracodorsal nerve roots
c6 c7 c8
innervation to lats
thoracodorsal nerve
muscles weaknesses of thoracodorsal nerve
weakness adducting, internally medial rotating, and extending the arm weakness climbing, rowing, pushing up out of a chair
axillary nerve roots
c5 c6
presentation if axillary nerve is damaged
- loss of rounded counter of the shoulder
- limited abduction of the arm
- weakened lateral rotation of arm
how is axillary nerve damaged?
shoulder dislocation or surgical neck fracture
can occur in surgical neck fractures of the humerus and shoulder dislocations
axillary nerve damage
musculocutaneous nerve roots
c5 c6 c7
innervation to muscles of the anterior compartment of the arm
musculocutaneous
if musculocutaneous nerve is damaged
-weak flexion of forearm -weakness in supination of forearm -sensory loss lateral aspect of forearm not commonly injured
brachial plexus lesions affect the ______ of several spinal nerves
ventral rami
lesions of the brachial plexus always result in a combination of both _____ and _____ deficits
motor and sensory
two forms of brachial plexus injury
upper brachial plexus C5 and C6 ventral rami lower brachial plexus C8 and T1 (maybe C7)
upper brachial plexus injuries typically occur due to
excessive lateral stretching between the head and shoulder
etiology of upper brachial plexus injury
motorcycle, equestrian, football injuries, obstetrical trauma! stretch or avulse the c5 and c6 superior roots of the plexus
upper brachial plexus injuries are called
Erb’s Palsy or Erbs Duchenne Palsy
stinger
motorcycle, equestion, football injuries
Erb Duchenne Palsy
paralysis or weakness of muscles innervated by C5 and C6 nerve roots
muscles affected in Erb’s Palsy
deltoid, supra and infraspinatos, biceps, brachioradialis, supinator
presentation of erb-duchenne palsy
resulting limb is adducted, internally rotated, pronated, and extended at the elbow
loss of sensation along the lateral arm and forearm C5 and C6 dermatomes
waiters tip hand
fingers and wrist curl into flexion in Erb Ducheene Palsy
lower brachial plexus injuries typically result from
upper limb being suddenly pulled superiorly, grasping a limb during a fall or breech birth
lower brachial plexus trauma can _______________ of the ventral rami
strech or avulse C8 and T1 (maybe c7) ventral rami
brachial plexus injuries- less than 1% of brachial plexus injuries
klumpke palsy
klumpke palsy
devasting injuries paralyze the short intrinsic muscles of the hand causing muscle imbalances between the digital flexors and extensors
resulting deformity of klumpke palsy
- thin atrophied hand
- associated sensory loss along the c8 and T1 dermatomes
- can present with Horners Syndrome
horners syndrome
disruption of sympathetic nerves traveling in T1 (eye droop) and can be associated with Klumpke palsy
high median nerve injuries area
cubital fossa
hand of benediction
1st and thumb cant flex when asked to make a fist - median nerve damage
