Topic 6: Nerve supply of the Upper Limb Flashcards
What is a plexus?
Complex plait of nerves originating from ventral rami of spinal nerves
–> ventral rami = anterior divisions of spinal nerves
What does a plexus do?
redistributes nerve fibres from several spinal levels BEFORE forming peripheral nerves
–> gives some redundancy of nerve supply
Parts of the Brachial plexus
- roots
- trunks
- divisions
- cords
- branches
What does the Brachial plexus supply
all muscles of the upper limb
Root values of the brachial plexus
C5-T1
TRUNKS
1. Upper
merges from the C5 &6 roots
TRUNKS
2. middle
comes from the root C7
TRUNKS
3. lower
merges from the root values C8 & T1
DIVISIONS
anterior & posterior divisions that come off trunks
CORDS
1. lateral cord
- lateral to axillary artery
- merge of the anterior divisions
CORDS
2. posterior cord
- posterior to the axillary artery
- merge of the posterior divisions
CORDS
3. Medial
- medial to the axillary artery
- originates just from the anterior division off the lower trunk
BRANCHES
- Musculocutaneous nerve
- axillary nerve
- radial nerve
- median nerve
- ulnar nerve
ORIENTATION
Where do the roots emerge between?
between scalene (neck) muscles (anterior & middle)
ORIENTATION
Where are the trunks?
superior to the clavicle
ORIENTATION
Cords
- inferior to the clavicle
- named by their position relative to axillary artery
Branches from the roots & distribution
1. Dorsal scapular
rhomboids
Branches from the roots & distribution
2. Long thoracic (C5-C7)
serratus anterior
Branches from the trunks & their dist
1. suprascapular nerve
supraspinatus, infraspinatus
Branches from the trunks & their dist
2. nerve to subclavius nerve
Subclavius
How many branches are there from cords?
14
branches from cords(not peripheral)
- upper subscapular
- lower subscapular
- thoracodorsal
- medial cutaneous nerve of arm
- medial cutaneous nerve of forearm
- medial pectoral
- lateral pectoral
Branches from the cords (peripheral)
- axillary
- radial & posterior interosseus branch (PIN - pins supinator)
- musculocutaneous
- median and its anterior interosseus branch
- ulnar
THE BIG FIVE
1. Musculocutaneous
First branch; only goes to anterior arm
THE BIG FIVE
2. Axillary nerve
Next; dives deep into axilla
THE BIG FIVE
3. Radial nerve
Next; dives deep between heads of triceps (find out which heads)
THE BIG FIVE
4. Median nerve
- formed by 2 cords (posterior & medial)
- runs straight down midline of anterior arm
THE BIG FIVE
5. Ulnar
most inferior branch formed by only one cord (medial)
DISTRIBUTION OF THE BRANCHES OF THE BRACHIAL PLEXUS
Axillary Nerve root value
C5,6
DISTRIBUTION OF THE BRANCHES OF THE BRACHIAL PLEXUS
Axillary Nerve motor distribution
deltoid, teres minor
DISTRIBUTION OF THE BRANCHES OF THE BRACHIAL PLEXUS
Axillary Nerve sensory distribution
skin over deltoid, shoulder jt
DISTRIBUTION OF THE BRANCHES OF THE BRACHIAL PLEXUS
Radial nerve root value
C5-T1
DISTRIBUTION OF THE BRANCHES OF THE BRACHIAL PLEXUS
Radial nerve motor distribution
all UL extensors, brachoradialis, supinator, AbdPL
DISTRIBUTION OF THE BRANCHES OF THE BRACHIAL PLEXUS
Radial nerve sensory distribution
- skin of the posterior arm, forearm and hand (lateral 3.5 digits), wrist & elbow jts
DISTRIBUTION OF THE BRANCHES OF THE BRACHIAL PLEXUS
Musculocutaneous root value
C5,6,7