L16 - BRACHIAL PLEXUS AND NERVE DISTRIBUTIONS Flashcards
List the components and location of the roots of brachial plexus?
Ventral rami of (C4) C5, 6, 7, 8, T1 (T2)
within prevertebral musculature
List the components and location of the Trunks of brachial plexus?
Trunks:
upper (C5, C6), middle (C7), lower (C8, T1)
posterior triangle of neck
List the components and location of the Divisions of brachial plexus?
Anterior, posterior
behind clavicle
List the components and location of the Cords of brachial plexus?
lateral, medial, posterior
upper half of axilla
List the components and location of the Branches of brachial plexus?
Nerve fibres from different spinal levels
Arise from all parts of the plexus, except divisions.
Which part of the arm is supplied by which part of the brachial plexus?
- Anterior divisions: flexor compartment (richer nerve supply)
- Posterior divisions: extensor compartment
What is the anterior wall of the Axilla?
pectoralis major, pectoralis minor (crosses 2nd part of axillary artery)
What is the posterior wall of the Axilla?
Posterior wall: latissimus dorsi, subscapularis, teres major
What is the medial wall of the Axilla?
Serratus anterior
What is the lateral wall of the Axilla?
long head of biceps, short head of biceps, coracobrachialis
List the branches from the Roots of the brachial plexus?
2
- Dorsal scapular nerve (mainly C5)
- Long thoracic nerve (C5,6,7)
List the branches from the upper trunk of the brachial plexus?
2
- Suprascpular nerve (C5,6)
- Nerve to subclavius (C5,6)
List the branches from the lateral cord of the brachial plexus?
- 5
- lateral pectoral n. (C5, C6, 7)
- musculocutaneous n. (C5, 6, 7)
- lateral root of median n. (C6, 7)
List the branches from the Median cord of the brachial plexus?
4½
- medial pectoral n. (C8)
- medial cutaneous n. of arm (T1)
- medial cutaneous n. of forearm (C8, T1)
- ulnar n. ((C7), C8, T1)
- medial root of median n. (C8, T1)
List the branches from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus?
5
- upper subscapular n. (C5, 6)
- thoracodorsal n. (C6, 7, 8)
- lower subscapular n. (C5, 6)
- axillary n. (C5, 6) *
- radial n. (C5, 6, 7, 8, T1) *
Give the course and innervation of dorsal scapular nerve.
Branch from C5 root
Course: Posterior to back, does not pass through axilla
Supply:
- Levator scapulae
- Rhomboid major
- Rhomboid minor
Give the course and innervation of Long thoracic nerve.
Branch from C5,6,7 root
Course: vertically down, then over surface of serratus anterior
Supply:
Serratus anterior
What arises from long thoracic nerve injury?
Winging of scapula
Give the course and innervation of suprascapular nerve.
Branch from upper trunk
Course: Bound by superior transverse scapular ligamnet and converges into hole, Runs with suprascapular artery
Supply:
- Supraspinatus
- Infraspinatus
Give the origin and innervation of lateral pectoral nerve.
Branch from Lateral cord (C5,6,7)
Innervate pectoralis major
Give the course and innervation of musculocutaneous nerve.
Branch from anterior division of lateral cord (C5,6,7)
Course:
From muscle to skin, continues as lateral cutaneous nerve of forearm, 5 main terminal branches
Supply: - Anterior flexor arm muscles: elbow flexors - Coracobrachialis - Biceps brachii - Brachialis Lateral skin of forearm
What is the consequence of damage to musculocutaneous nerve?
Affects flexion (brachioradialis), supination (biceps brachialis) of forearm + decrease sensation at lateral forearm
Compensated by other muscles that can flex the elbow **
Is damage to musculocutaneous nerve likely?
Well-protected (does not pass through any area which is vulnerable to damage), unless stab wound in axilla
What are the 2 parts of the median nerve and their origin?
1) C6,7»_space; Lateral root of median nerve
2) C8, T1»_space; Medial root of median nerve
Give the course of median nerve?
Anterior compartment of arm with no branches in arm
> > Half way down the arm, crosses brachial artery from LATERAL to MEDIAL
> > Carpal tunnel
> > hand