Upper Limb Flashcards
State the muscles and bones that make up the four borders of the axilla.
Anterior - pectoralis major/minor, subclavius
Medial - ribcage, intercostal muscles, serratus anterior
Posterior - latissimus dorsi, subscapularis, teres major, costal surface
Lateral - intertubecular groove of humerus
What forms the axillary sheath and what does it contain?
Fascia.
Contains major vessels and nerves
What are the two veins in the arm, and describe the changes as they pass through the axilla and over the first rib.
Cephic vein (follows deltoid, more lateral) and basilic vein (follows triceps, more medial). Merge to the axillary vein, then becomes the subclavian vein after passing over the first rib.
Describe the passage of the subclavian artery to the forearm.
Becomes the axillary artery in the anterior wall, passing the lateral border of the first rib.
Passes the inferior border of the teres major to become the brachial artery.
Then becomes the radial and ulnar arteries.
What are the nerve roots of the brachial plexus?
C5-8, T1
What muscle overlays the nerve roots of the brachial plexus?
Sternocleidomastoid
Where can the axillary nerve be found?
Deep behind the humerus, passes to the deltoid
Where can the radial nerve be found?
Passes down the radial groove
Where can the musculocutaneous nerve be found?
Passes between the biceps
Where can the ulnar nerve be found?
Posterior to the medial epicondyl of the humerus.
Where can the medial nerve be found?
Passes through the fossa.
What vein connects the basilic and cephalic veins in the cubital fossa?
Median cubital vein
Innervation of deltoid
Axillary nerve
Function of the deltoid
Abduction of the arm from 50 to 130 degrees
Function of the biceps brachii
Mainly for supination of the forearm, also for flexion.
Innervation of the biceps brachii
Musculocutaneous nerve
Attachments of the biceps brachii
Long head - tendon passes up intertubecular groove to attach to the supraglenoid tubercle
Short head - coracoid process
Fans to the bicipital aponeurosis and radial tuberosity.
Function of the brachialis
Flexion of the arm
Innervation of the brachialis
Musculocutaneous nerve
Function of the coracobrachialis
Flexion and adduction of the arm, stabilisation of the glenohumeral joint
Innervation of the coracobrachialis
Musculocutaneous nerve
What deep, posterior artery follows the course of the radial nerve?
Profunda brachii
What arteries wrap around the humeral head?
Posterior and anterior humeral circumflex artery
Function of the triceps brachii
Long - Aids in extention and adduction of the arm. Helps to stabalise the adducted glenohumeral joint.
Lateral - strongest. Primary muscle against resistance.
Medial - forearm extension, always active.
From lateral to medial, name the innervation and vasculature in the antecubital fossa.
Biceps tendon
Brachial artery
Medial nerve
Function of pronator teres
Pronation of the forearm
Innervation of the brachioradalis
Radial nerve
Give the muscle and innervation involved in extension at the elbow
Triceps
Radial nerve
Give the two joints that the shoulder articulates at.
Glenohumeral joint
Scapulothoracic joint
What is the glenoid labrum and what is it’s function?
A fibrocartilage rim around the glenoid cavity which increases the surface for articulation, providing more stability.
Why is the glenohumeral joint inherently unstable?
Shallow
Disproportion of articular surfaces
Multiplanar movements
Lax capsule
What muscles are the most important in improving stability of the glenohumeral joint?
Rotator cuff muscles
Attachments of the glenohumeral capsule
Glenoid labrum Glenoid cavity Anatomical neck of the humerus Bridges down intertubecular groove Dips medially to the surgical neck
What is the function of the small anterior opening in the synovial membrane of the glenohumeral capsule?
So the joint can communicate with the subscapular bursa
Describe the synovial membrane of the glenohumeral joint
Lines the capsule and bone up to the edge of the articular surface. Secretes synovial fluid
Describe the three glenohumeral ligaments.
Superior, middle and inferior.
Extend between the glenoid labrum and humerus.
Part of the fibrous capsule and reinforces the capsule anteriorly.
Can only be seen from inside the capsule.
Describe the extracapsular ligaments.
Coracromial ligament - most important. Between the acromion and coracoid process. Supports and stabilises the shoulder joint.
Coracohumeral ligament - from the base of the coracoid process to the anterior part of the greater tubercle. Strengthens the upper part of the capsule of the shoulder joint.
Transverse humeral ligament - holds the tendon of the long head of the biceps in place during shoulder movement. Inserts into the intertubecular groove.
All together forms the coracoacromial arch, a strong osseoligamentous structure which overlies the humeral head. This prevents the upper displacement of the humerus.
State the four muscles which make up the rotator cuff.
Supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapular
Function of the supraspinatus
Initiation and first 15 degrees of abduction of the arm
Innervation of the supraspinatus
Suprascapular nerve (C5/6)
Function of the infraspinatus
Lateral rotation of the arm
Innervation of the infraspinatus
Suprascapular nerve (C5/6)
Function of the teres minor
Lateral rotation
Weak adductor
Innervation of the teres minor
Axillary nerve
Function of the subscapular muscle
Medial rotation of the arm
Innervation of the subscapular muscle
Upper and lower subscapular nerve
Describe the tendinous cuff of the glenohumeral joint
Tendons blend together to form a cuff.
Fuses with the capsule and strengthens it.
Tone in the muscles holds the head close to the glenoid cavity.
What separates the supraspinatous tendon from the arch?
Subacromial bursa
What movement of the arm risks impingement of soft tissue?
Abduction
Describe the function of the subscapular bursa
Facilitates movement of the tendon of subscapularis muscle over the scapula and communicates with the joint cavity.
Describe the function of the subacromial bursa.
Facilitates movement of the supraspinatus tendon under the coracoacromial arch and deltoid muscle over the capsule and greater tubercle of the humerus.
What is the function of the suprascapular artery?
Supplies the skin over the acromion and upper part of the chest.
Has a small role in supplying the sternocleidomastoid and subscapularis.
What is the origin of the suprascapular nerve?
Upper trunk of the brachial plexus
What is the function of the suprascapular nerve?
Innervates the supraspinatus and infraspinatous muscle.
Sensory for the acromioclavicular and glenohumeral joints
What is the origin of the axillary nerve?
Posterior cord of the brachial plexus
What is the function of the axillary nerve?
Innervates the deltoid, teres minor and long head of the triceps brachii.
Sensory from the shoulder joint and regimental badge area.
Where does the lateral pectoral nerve penetrate?
Deep surface of the pectoralis major
What are the axillary nerve and posterior circumflex artery vulnerable to at the front of the humerus?
Intramuscular injection of the deltoid muscle
What are the axillary nerve and posterior circumflex artery vulnerable to at the back of the humerus?
Injury during shoulder joint dislocation and surgical neck fractures
Function of the aconeus
Abduction of the ulna, accessory extensor at the elbow.
Innervation of extensor carpi radialis longus
Radial nerve
Function of extensor carpi radialis longus
Extension and abduction of the wrist
Innervation of the extensor carpi radialis brevis
Deep branch of radial nerve
Function of extensor carpi radialis brevis
Extension and abduction of the wrist
Innervation of the supinator
Posterior interosseus nerve
Function of the supinator
Supination
Innervation of abductor pollicus longus
Posterior interosseus nerve
Function of abductor pollicus longus.
Accessory extensor of the thumb
Innervation of extensor pollicus brevis
Posterior interosseus nerve
Function of the extensor pollicus brevis
Extends metacarpophalangeal and carpometacarpal joint.
Innervation of extensor indices
Posterior interosseus nerve