Brachial Plexus Nerve Lesions

Question 1

lesion at the upper trunk (C5 and C6 joined)

Answer 1

Waiter’s tip (Erb Duchenne Palsy)

Question 2

lesion at the lower trunk (C8 and T1 joined)

Answer 2

claw hand (Klumpke paralysis)

Question 3

lesion at posterior cord (C5-T1 joined)

Answer 3

wrist drop

Question 4

lesion on long thoracic nerve (C5-C7)

Answer 4

winged scapula

Question 5

lesion at axillary branch of posterior cord

Answer 5

deltoid paralysis

Question 6

lesion at radial branch of posterior cord (think arm falling asleep from drunk person’s arm hanging over top of chair)

Answer 6

Saturday night palsy

Question 7

lesion at musculocutaneous branch of lateral cord

Answer 7

difficulty flexing elbow

Question 8

lesion at median branch of lateral and medial cords (thumb, index finger, and middle finger raised)

Answer 8

Pope’s blessing (hand of benediction)

Question 9

lesion at ulnar branch of medial cord

Answer 9

claw hand (intrinsic muscles of hand)