GL-25 Brachial Plexus Flashcards
List the nerves of the brachial plexus that course through the arm
Musculocutaneous Nerve Medial Cutaneous Nerve of Arm Medial Cutaneous Nerve of Forearm Median Nerve Ulnar Nerve Axillary Nerve Radial Nerve
Musculocutaneous Nerve
Origin
Spinal Segments
Function (motor and/or sensory)
origin: lateral cord of brachial plexus
spinal segments: C5 to C7
function: motor-all muscles in anterior compartment of arm; sensory–lateral part of forearm
Medial Cutaneous Nerve of Arm
Origin
Spinal Segments
Function (motor and/or sensory)
Origin: Medial Cord
Spinal Segments: C8, T1
Function: sensory ONLY; skin on medial side of distal 1/3 of arm
Medial Cutaneous Nerve of Forearm
Origin
Spinal Segments
Function (motor and/or sensory)
Origin: medial Cord
Spinal Segments: C8, T1
Function: sensory ONLY; skin on medial side of forearm
Median Nerve
Origin
Spinal Segments
Function (motor and/or sensory)
origin: medial and lateral cords
spinal segments: (C5), C6 to T1
Function:
motor
(a) all muscles in the anterior compartment of the forearm except the flexor carpi ulnaris and medial half of flexor digitorum profundus
(b) 3 thenar muscles of the thumb & 2 lateral lumbrical muscles
sensory
(a) skin over the lateral palmar surface & associated fingers
(b) skin on middle of wrist
Ulnar Nerve
Origin
Spinal Segments
Functions (motor and or sensory)
Origin: medial cord
Spinal Segments: (C7), C8, T1
Functions:
motor:
(a) all intrinsic muscles of the hand except 3 thenar muscles 2 3 lateral lumbricals
(b) flexor carpi ulnaris & medial half of flexor digitorum profundus in the forearm
sensory
(a) : skin over palmar surface of medial 1 & 1/2 digits and associated palm and wrist
(b) skin over the dorsal surface of the medial one and one half digits
Axillary Nerve
Origin
Spinal Cord Segments
Function
Origin: Posterior Cord Spinal Cord Segment: C5, C6 Function: motor: deltoid, teres minor sensory: skin over upper lateral part of the arm
Radial Nerve
Origin
Spinal Cord Segments
Function
Origin: Posterior Cord
Spinal Segmentes: C5 to C8 (T1)
Function:
motor: all muscles in the posterior compartment of arm and forearm
sensory: skin on the posterior aspects of the arm and forearm, lower lateral surface of the arm, and the dorsal lateral surface of the hand
List the fiber types of the nerves present in the branches of the brachial plexus
postganglionic sympathetic, somatic afferent and efferent, sensory
What type of plexus is the brachial plexus?
somatic plexus
Describe the organization of the brachial plexus from its roots to its terminal braches
Roots, Trunks, Divisions, Cords, Branches
“Randy Travis Drinks Cold Beer”
What are the roots of the brachial plexus?
ventral rami of C5-T1
What are the trunks of the brachial plexus?
Superior (C5, C6)
Middle (C7)
Inferior (C8, T1)
What are the divisions of the brachial plexus?
Anterior (flexors)
Posterior (extensors)
What are the cords of the brachial plexus?
Lateral (C5, C6, C7)
Posterior (C5-T1)
Medial (C8-T1)
Which root(s) of the brachial plexus have branches? What are the those branches (list SC level contributions for each nerve)
Superior root is the only root to have branches
Dorsal Scapular Nerve (C5)
Long Thoracic Nerve (C5-C7)
Accessory Phrenic (C5)
“Roots Don’t Lie, Pal”