Upper Limb: Brachial Plexus and Axillary Artery Flashcards
Axilla
- pyramidal space inferior to glenohumeral joint aka shoulder joint (when adducted, the space isn’t noticeable)
- passageway for neurovascular and muscular structures to enter and leave the upper limb)
What are the boundaries of the Axilla? (this provides context to what space looks like but won’t be tested)
- apex (1st rib and clavicle)
- Base (skin and subcutaneous tissue)
- Anterior (pectoralis major and minor)
- Posterior (scapula and subscapularis)
- Medial (Thoracic wall and serratus anterior)
- Lateral (Humerus)
What are the contents of the Axilla?
- Axillary artery and its branches
- Axillary vein and tributaries (vessel that empties into the main vessel kinda like a river)
- Axillary lymph nodes (drain upper limp and chest wall/boobies)
- Brachial plexus
What does the overall 3D shape of the axilla look like?
a pyramid. It consists of four sides, an open apex and base.
What is the Brachial Plexus
Major nerve network supplying the upper limb
What is the Brachial Plexus formed by?
Union of C5-C8 and T1 nerve roots
What are the 5 anterior rami roots of the brachial plexus?
C5 - T1
What are the 3 trunks of the brachial plexus?
superior, middle, and inferior
Toward the _____ root of the neck of the brachial plexus, the roots unite to form trunks
inferior
where do the trunks of the brachial plexus pass through?
anterior and middle scalene muscles
What are the components of the Brachial Plexus?
- Roots (C5- C8 and then T1)
- Trunks (Upper, Middle and Lower)
- Divisions (Anterior and Posterior)
- Cords (Posterior, Medial and Lateral) 5. Branches (5 total)
What are the branches from the roots of the Brachial Plexus?
- Dorsal scapular nerve (C5) - Rhomboids and levator scapulae
- Long thoracic nerve (C5 -C7) - Serratus anterior
- un-named muscular branches to deep cervical muscles
What do the roots combine to form?
3 Trunks
What are the 3 trunks of the Brachial Plexus?
- Superior (upper) trunk: C5 and C6
- Middle trunk: C7
- Inferior (lower) trunk: C8 and T1
What are the Branches of the Trunks of the Brachial Plexus?
- Suprascapular (C5 - C6)
- supr - and infraspinatus muscles - Nerve to subclavius (C5 and C6)
- Subclavius muscle
What does each trunk divide into?
An anterior and posterior division
What do the anterior divisions of the trunk supply?
supply the anterior (flexor) compartment
What do the posterior divisions of the trunk supply?
supply the posterior (extensor) compartment
Anterior divisions of the upper and middle trunks unite to form the ________________
lateral cord
Anterior division of the lower trunk continues as the _________________
medial cord
Posterior divisions of all three trunks unite to form the __________
posterior cord
Look at structure
Cords are named in relation to their position to what structure?
Axillary Artery
What are the branches from the posterior cord?
–Upper subscapular nerve-motor to subscapularis
–Lower subscapular nerve-motor to subscapularis and teres major
–Thoracodorsal nerve-motor to latissimus dorsi