Thoracic Limb Vessels and Nerves

Question 1

Which two branches originate from the subscapular artery in small animals? Remember Three stinky cheeses…

Answer 1

Thoracodorsal a.

Caudal circumflex humeral a.

Question 2

Which artery and nerve supplies/innervates the superficial pectoral muscle?

Answer 2

External thoracic artery

Cranial pectoral nerve

Question 3

Which artery and nerve supplies/innervates the deep pectoral muscle?

Answer 3

Lateral thoracic artery

Caudal pectoral nerve

Question 4

What is the last branch off of the axillary artery which supplies the cranial aspect of the biceps brachii and shoulder joint capsule?

Answer 4

Cranial circumflex humeral artery

Question 5

Don’t Be C&^NTY C&NT….what does this stand for.

Answer 5

The order from proximal to distal of the branches coming off the brachial artery. (the ones we need to ID)

Deep brachial a.
Bicipital a.
Collateral ulnar a.
Common interosseous a.

Question 6

Which three arteries branch off of the common interosseous a. ?

Answer 6

Ulnar a.
Caudal interosseous a.
Cranial interosseous a.

Question 7

Which artery supplies the caudal muscles of the antebrachium ( DDF and flexor carpi ulnaris)?

Answer 7

Ulnar a.

Question 8

Which artery feeds into the deep palmar arch to supply blood to the palmar aspect of the metacarpus and is important clinically during antebrachial fractures?

Answer 8

Caudal interosseous a.

Question 9

Below which muscle will you find the caudal interosseous a. ?

Answer 9

Pronator teres m.

Question 10

Which nerve innervates the cutaneous trunci and is responsible for the panniculus reflex?

Answer 10

Lateral thoracic n.

Question 11

Which nerve innervates the coracobrachialis, biceps brachii, and brachialis muscles with somatic motor fibers, but also provides sensory information to brain from the medial aspect of the antebrachium?

Answer 11

Musculocutaneous n.

Question 12

The ________ nerve and __________ nerve share a common trunk in the small animal, while the ________ nerve and ________ nerve share a common trunk in the large animal.

Answer 12

Median n.
Ulnar n.
Median n.
Musculocutaneous n.

Question 13

Which nerve runs with the caudal humeral circumflex artery?

Answer 13

Axillary n.

Question 14

The _______ nerve innervates the extensors of the elbow, carpus, and digits. If this is damaged, we can no longer extend these to bear weight and will have knuckling over at the carpus and digits.

Answer 14

Radial n.

Question 15

if the medial nerve is damaged, what will happen?

Answer 15

Loss of active flexion of the carpus, sinking of the carpus/ fetlock.

Question 16

If a dog can not feel sensation on the lateral aspect of the paw, which nerve is likely damaged?

Answer 16

Ulnar n.

Question 17

Which arteries and nerves pass through the carpal canal?

Answer 17

Median and ulnar nerves

Median artery

Question 18

Which cervical nerves contribute to the brachial plexus?

Answer 18

C6
C7
C8 
T1
T2

Question 19

Which artery serves as the most important blood supply to the distal limb of the horse?

Answer 19

Medial palmar artery

Question 20

Which nerve provides cutaneous sensory innervation to the dorsal manus?

Answer 20

Radial n.

Question 21

The ulnar and median nerves provide cutaneous sensory innervation to what part of the body?

Answer 21

Palmar aspect of the manus (median)

5th digit and lateral surface of metacarpus (ulnar)

Question 22

Which nerves branches off the radial nerve, diving into the triceps brachii, and emerges on the lateral side of antebrachium?

Answer 22

Lateral cutaneous antebrachium nerve

Question 23

Which nerves innervate the glenohumeral joint?

Answer 23

Axillary n.

Suprascapular n.

Question 24

Which nerves innervate the elbow joint? (RUMM)

Answer 24

Radial n.
Ulnar n.
Musculocutaneous n.
Median n.
The RUMM block!!!

Question 25

If the thoracic limb is forcefully taken away from the body , what can occur?

Answer 25

Brachial plexus Avulsion which can be complete or incomplete. If it is complete, it is either cranial or caudal.

Question 26

If an animal is having trouble stabilizing the shoulder , what nerves could be damaged? What type of brachial plexus avulsion injury is this?

Answer 26

Suprascapular n.
Subscapular n.
Cranial

Question 27

If an animal is having trouble advancing their thoracic limb, which nerve may be damaged? What type of brachial plexus avulsion injury is this?

Answer 27

Suprascapular n.

Cranial

Question 28

If an animal is having trouble flexing it’s elbow, what nerve may be damaged? Is this a cranial or caudal brachial plexus avulsion injury?

Answer 28

Musculocutaneous n.

Cranial

Question 29

Which nerve branches off of the musculocutaneous n. and is found near the lacertus fibrosus and can be palpated?

Answer 29

Medial cutaneous antebrachial n.

Question 30

Which cervical nerves are involved in cranial brachial plexus avulsion?

Answer 30

C6 C7 C8

Question 31

Which cervical/ thoracic nerves are involved in a caudal brachial plexus avulsion?

Answer 31

C8 T1 T2