Lecture 6.1: Upper Limb nerves and vessels

Question 1

Describe the atery in the arm

Answer 1

First we have the subclavican artery, that goes UNDER the clavical, then this artery changes its name to AXILLARY artery, then brachial artery, which branches into the ulnar and radial artery

Question 2

Which artery is larger: the ulnar or radial artery?

Answer 2

RADIAL

Question 3

What does the ulnar atery do?

Answer 3

On the outside if you look at your outstretched hand with nails in full view

Question 4

What does the radial atery do?

Answer 4

On the inside if you look at your outstretched hand with nails in full view

Question 5

What is the palmar arterial arches?

Answer 5

The ‘loop’ in the artery joining the radial and ulnar artery

Question 6

Where do we NOT have veins?

Answer 6

In our palms; or else we would always compress them!

Question 7

Describe the veins in the arm

Answer 7

We have a Cephalic vein, that runs on the front of our arm upwards (we are standing in the anatomical position), we have the Basilic vein that runs to the back of our arm and we have the median cubital vein that connects these two at the place where you sample blood

Question 8

What is ‘venae comitantes’?

Answer 8

When two veins surround an artery, accompanies them. Ensures UNIDIRECTIONAL flow (venous blood back to the heart)

Question 9

What is lymphatics?

Answer 9

Drains white blood cells

Question 10

Where are the lymph nodes in the body and what are they called?

Answer 10

Cervical: neck
Axillary: armpit
Inguinal: waist

Question 11

Where does the upper limbs receive its nerve supply?

Answer 11

From the brachial plexus; a network of nerves, running from C5-T1

Question 12

Where do nerves that innovate the UPPER LIMBS arise from?

Answer 12

Anterior/ventral rami

Question 13

What are the names of the upper limbs nerves?

Answer 13

1. Musculocutaneous
2. Median
3. Radial
4. Axillary
5. Ulnar

Question 14

Describe the muscolucutaneous nerve

Answer 14

Made from anterior divisions

Supplies ANTERIOR muscle compartment of ARM, and lateral aspect of forearm

Question 15

Describe the median nerve

Answer 15

Made from anterior divisions
Supplies ANTERIOR muscle compartment of FOREARM and skin of 3.5 digits, starting from the thumb
This nerve goes THROUGH the carpal tunnel

Question 16

Describe the ulnar nerve

Answer 16

Made from anterior divisions

Supplies ANTERIOR muscle compartment of the HAND and skin of 1.5 digits, starting with pinky

Question 17

Name the ANTERIOR nerves

Answer 17

Muscolucutaneous, median and ulnar

Question 18

Name the POSTERIOR nerves

Answer 18

Axillary, radial

Question 19

Describe the axillary nerve

Answer 19

Emerges posterially
Hugs the neck of the humerus
Supplies the shoulder muscle, supplies skin at military badge area
THIS CAN GET INJURED WHEN U DISLOCATE YOUR SHOULDER

Question 20

Describe the radial nerve

Answer 20

Innovates muscle posterior of the arm AND forearm
Runs down the back of the humerus
supplies the skin of posterior arm and forearm, and back part of hand (thumb +2)

Question 21

What is the dermatome of the upper limb like?

Answer 21

C7 is at the tip
C4,C5,C6,C7,T1,T2
no overlap past the axial line

Question 22

What is a myotome?

Answer 22

Segmental supply to muscle groups

Question 23

How are myotomes organised?

Answer 23

Usually, if the part of the limb is further away (more distal), then the nerve that supplies that part is lower in the brachial plexus