Upper Limb 1 - Station 1: Axilla and Neurovascular Input to Upper Limb Flashcards
What is the axilla?
Pyramidal space below the shoulder joint that provides a passageway for vessels and nerves going to and from the lower limb.
What are the contents of the axilla?
Axillary artery
Axillary vein
Cords and branches of brachial plexus
Lymph vessles
Axillary lymph nodes
What muscles form the anterior wall?
Pectoralis major
Pectoralis minor
What muscles form the posterior border of the axilla?
Subscapularis
Teres major
Latissimus dorsi
What forms the medial wall of the axilla?
Thoracic wall
Serratus anterior
What part of the humerus forms the lateral wall of the axilla?
Intertubercular sulcus
What is shown here and what is it a continuation of?
Axillary artery
Continuation of subclavian artery
At what anatomical point does the axillary artery begin?
Mid clavicular line
What does the axillary artery continue as distally?
Brachial artery
Where does the brachial artery bifurcate?
Cubital fossa
What does the brachial artery bifurcate into?
Ulnar artery
Radial artery
In what clinical condition would compression of the axillary artery be employed?
Bleeding profusely from the upper limb (note - it is the location for tourniqets)
What are the nerve roots of the brachial plexus
C5 - T1
What nerve roots for the upper trunk?
C5 & C6
What is Erb’s point?
The point in the posterior border of the SCM where the 4 branches of the brachial plexus emerge
What are the characteristics of Erb’s palsy?
Waiter’s tip appearance
Arm medially rotated with wrist fully flexed
What are common causes of Erb’s palsy?
Fall on the shoulder
Birth injury (most common)
Which group of nerves are affected by Erb’s Palsy?
Musculocutaneous
Axillary
Radial
Therefore what muscles are affected by Erb’s Palsy?
Musculocutaneous = biceps brachii, brachialis and coracobrachialis
Axillary = Deltoid
Radial = brachioradialis
Learn brachial plexus from the book
What is the name given to injury to the lower trunk of the brachial plexus?
Klumpke’s palsy
What muscles are affected by Klumpke’s palsy?
Intrinsic hand muscles
Ulnar flexors of wrist and fingers
What are the characteristics of Klumpke’s palsy?
Clawing of the hand
What are the five major branches of the brachial plexus?
Musculocutaneous
Axillary
Median
Radial
Ulnar
What are the cords of the brachial plexus?
Lateral
Medial
Posterior
What are the branches of the lateral cord?
Lateral pectoral
Lateral root of median nerve
Musculocutaneous
What are the branches of the medial cord of the brachial plexus?
Medial pectoral
Median nerve
Ulnar
Medial cutaneous nerve of arm
Medial cutaneous nerve of forearm
What are the branches of the posterior cord of the brachial plexus?
Thoracodorsal nerve
Axillary nerve
Radial nerve
Upper and lower subscapular nerve
What is the order of arterial supply to the upper limb starting at aorta?
Aorta –> Brachiocephalic –> Subclavian –> Axillary –> Brachial –> Ulnar and radial
What is the venous drainage of the upper limb starting with cephalic and basilic?
How is the dorsal venous arch of the hand drained?
The cephalic vein drains it’s LATERAL end
The basillic vein drains its MEDIAL end
What are the nerve roots of the musculocutaneous nerve?
C5-C7
What are the nerve roots of the axillary nerve?
C5 & C6
What are the nerve roots of the median nerve?
C6 - T1
What are the nerve roots of the radial nerve?
C5 - T1
What are the nerve roots of the ulnar nerve?
C8 & T1
