MSK - Upper Limb

Question 1

What are the important contents of the axilla?

Answer 1

Axillary artery
Axillary vein (from cephalic and basilic veins)
Brachial plexus
Tendons of biceps brachii and coracobrachialis
Lymph nodes

Question 2

Compression of nerves and vessels in the apex of the axilla, due to trauma or repetitive abduction, is know as…?

Answer 2

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.

Associated with pain, paraesthesia, weakness and cyanosis of UL.

Question 3

From which spinal roots does the Brachia Plexus arise?

Answer 3

C5
C6 
C7
C8
T1

Question 4

What are the trunks of the Brachial Plexus and from which roots do they arise?

Answer 4

Superior (C5 + C6)

Middle (C7)

Inferior (C8 + T1)

Question 5

The divisions of the Brachial Plexus split the trunks into Anterior and Posterior. Where do each of these divisions go?

Answer 5

All posterior divisions join together.

The anterior division of the superior trunk joins the anterior division of the middle trunk.

The anterior division of the inferior trunk alone continues.

Question 6

Following the divisions of the Brachial Plexus, there are three cords. Name them and from which divisions they arise.

Answer 6

Lateral cord - anterior divisions of superior + middle trunks

Posterior cord - posterior divisions of all three trunks

Medial cord - anterior division of inferior trunk

Question 7

From the three cords in the Brachial Plexus arise 5 major nerves. Name them and their cord.

Answer 7

Musculocutaneous nerve - lateral cord
Axillary nerve - posterior cord
Median nerve - lateral and medial cord
Radial nerve - posterior cord
Ulnar nerve - medial cord

Question 8

What are the nerve roots of the musculocutaneous nerve? (3)

Answer 8

C5
C6
C7

Question 9

What are the nerve roots of the axillary nerve? (2)

Answer 9

C5

C6

Question 10

What are the nerve roots of the median nerve? (4)

Answer 10

C6
C7
C8
T1

Question 11

What are the nerve roots of the radial nerve? (5)

Answer 11

C5
C6
C7
C8
T1

Question 12

What are the nerve roots of the ulnar nerve? (2)

Answer 12

C8

T1

Question 13

What muscles does the musculocutaneous nerve innervate?

Answer 13

Biceps Brachii
Brachialis
Coracobrachialis

(BBC)

Question 14

Name the borders of the axilla (apex, lateral, medial, anterior, posterior)

Answer 14

Apex - first rib (laterally), scapula (superior border), clavicle (posterior border)

Lateral - Intertubecular groove
Medial - Serratus Anterior
Anterior - Pec major
Posterior - Subscapularis, Teres major, Lat dorsi

Question 15

What skin territory does the musculocutaneous nerve innervate?

Answer 15

Lateral surface of forearm

Question 16

What muscles does the Axillary nerve innervate?

Answer 16

Deltoid

Teres minor

Question 17

What skin territory does the Axillary nerve innervate?

Answer 17

Regiments patch (over lower deltoid)

Question 18

Which muscles are innervated by the Median nerve?

Answer 18

Flexors in forearm
Thenar muscles (thumb)
Lateral x2 lumbricals (index and middle fingers)

Question 19

What skin territory is innervated by the median nerve?

Answer 19

Lateral palm
Lateral 3 1/2 digits (palmar side)

NB only Palmar Digital Cutaneous Branch affected in CTS as Palmar Cutaneous Branch does not pass through Carpal Tunnel

Question 20

Which muscles are innervated by the Radial nerve?

Answer 20

Triceps brachii

Extensors of forearm

Question 21

What skin territories does the radial nerve innervate?

Answer 21

Dorsal surface of lateral 3 1/2 digits
Strip of skin down posterior middle forearm
Lateral arm below deltoid

Question 22

Which muscles does the Ulnar nerve innervate?

Answer 22

FCU + (medial half of) FDP in anterior forearm.

Hypothenar muscles
Adductor pollicis
Interossei of hand

Question 23

What skin territories does the ulnar nerve innervate?

Answer 23

Medial half of palm

Dorsal and palmar surfaces of medial 1 1/2 digits