Nerve Palsies in the Limbs Flashcards
Describe the brachial plexus?
From spinal roots C5-T1 > upper, middle and lower trunk > anterior/posterior divisions > medial/lateral cords > branches
Brachial lesions are common in what?
Childbirth
Upwards traction (such as fall onto side of neck - upper cord damage)
Downwards traction - lower cord damage
Damage to what spinal nerves is considered upper cord damage?
C5, C6
What muscles are supplied by the upper cords (C5, C6)?
Deltoid
Shoulder muscles
Brachialis
Biceps
What kind of paralysis does upper cord damage cause?
Erb-Duchenne paralysis (porters tip)
Describe Erb-Duchenne paralysis?
- Causes Erb-Duchenne paralysis (arm “porters tip”)
- Arm adducted, elbow extended, forearm pronated, wrist flexed
Damage to what spinal nerve is lower cord damage?
T1
What paralysis does lower cord damage cause?
Klumpke’s palsy
Axillary nerve is formed from what spinal nerves?
C5, C6
What cord forms axillary nerve?
Posterior cord
What does the axillary nerve supply?
wraps around surgical neck of humerus supplying
- deltoid
- teres minor
- regimental badge area of skin
Damage to axillary nerve causes what paralysis?
Axillary nerve palsy
What is the presentation of axillary nerve palsy?
- Lack of sensation in badge area
- Deltoid atrophy
What often causes axillary nerve palsy?
- shoulder dislocation
- fracture of surgical neck of humerus
Radial nerve is formed from what spinal nerves?
C5, C6, C7, C8, T1
Radial nerve comes from what cord?
Posterior cord
What does the radial nerve supply?
- tricep brachii
- supplies brachoradialis (BCR), extensor carpi radialis longi (ECRL) and extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB)
- before dividing into posterior interosseus nerve (PIN) (motor) and superficial radial nerve (SRN) (sensory) branches
Describe the course of the radial nerve?
- Runs in radial groove of humerus as it passes from medial to lateral
Radial nerve damage causes what paralysis?
Radial nerve palsy
What is the presentation of radial nerve palsy?
- loss of extension in digits and wrist, forearm supinators
- sensory changes in forearm and hand
What often causes radial nerve palsy?
- entrapment (maybe in radial fracture)
- compression (such as due to Saturday night palsy)
What nerve supplies snesation to this area?
Radial nerve
Median nerve is supplied from what spinal nerves?
C5, C6, C7, C8 and T1
What cords form the median nerve?
Medial and lateral cords