Upper Limb 1 Station 1 - Brachial Plexus Flashcards
Where does the brachial plexus begin and extend to..?
Begins in cervical region and extends to the axilla
Brachial plexus is formed by the BLANK rami of what spinal nerves?
Ventral rami of C5 C6 C7 C8 & T1
What nerve root forms the upper trunk?
C5 and C6
What is Erbs point and what is its clinical significance?
Where C5 and C6 converge to form the upper trunk
Relevant as it is also an auscultation location for heart sounds - 3rd intercostal space
What causes erb’s palsy and what clinical sign does it it cause?
Upper trunk injury - hyperextension causing separation of the head of the shoulder - can be a fall on the shoulder, a birth injury or injured during anesthesia
Waiter’s tip appearance - medially rotates with wrist flexed
What group of muscles are affected in erb’s palsy?
Biceps brachii
Brachialis
coracobrachialis
Brachioradialis
What segmental roots of the brachial plexus contribute to the lower trunk?
c8 and t1
What are the 5 parts of the brachial plexus and what mnemonic can you use to remember it?
Root Trunk Divisions Cords Branch Read That Damn Card Back
How many trunks are there and what are they called?
3 - superior. middle and inferior
How many cords are there?
3 - lateral, medial and posterior (in relation to the ax. artery)
What trunks combine in the “division” section to make the lateral cord?
Superior and middle trunks
What trunks make up the posterior cord and whats a good way to remember this?
Superior, middle and inferior trunks
“P equals all three”
What trunks make up the medial cord? Whats a good way to remember this?
Just the inferior trunk
“medical intervention/MI” (contrived I know)
What are the branches from top to bottom? Give a mnemonic ?
Musculocutaneous Axillary Median Radial Ulnar Most Aunts Marry Radical Uncles
What cords make up the musculocutaneous nerve?
Lateral cord
