Vessels and Nerves of Upper Extremity

Question 1

origin of blood supply to the upper extremity

Answer 1

subclavian artery (branch of brachiocephalic trunk on the right and directly off the aorta on the left)

Question 2

the subclavian artery arches across the neck, passes inferior to the clavicle, and becomes…

Answer 2

axillary artery (which becomes brachial artery until elbow)

Question 3

the brachial artery branches just past the elbow to become…

Answer 3

radial artery (lateral/radial side of forearm) and ulnar artery (medial/ulnar border of forearm)

Question 4

at the hand, the radial and ulnar arteries (both branches of brachial artery) form an

Answer 4

anastomosis (vessels rejoin to form the palmar arterial arches)

Question 5

the venous arch on the dorsal surface of the hand gives rise to the…

Answer 5

cephalic vein, which travels up radial (lateral) border of forearm
and basilic vein, which travels up ulnar (medial) border

Question 6

the cephalic (radial/lateral) and basilic (ulnar/medial) veins join at the elbow by the…

Answer 6

median cubital vein (acts as a bridge between the two)

Question 7

the cephalic and basilic veins are deep or superficial?

Answer 7

superficial - not accompanied by arteries

deep venous drainage follows the arteries, such as radial and ulnar vein

Question 8

what veins of the forearm form the larger axillary vein?

Answer 8

cephalic and basilic (superficial veins)

cephalic is radial/lateral
basilic is ulnar/medial

Question 9

why is the subclavian vein attractive for introducing therapeutic drugs?

Answer 9

it’s large

Question 10

what is a nerve plexus

Answer 10

where numerous nerves come together, intermingle, and redistribute to reach their targets

Question 11

brachial plexus is composed of nerves from what cervical regions?

Answer 11

C5 to T1

Question 12

the lateral, medial, and posterior cords of the brachial plexus are named for their relationship to what?

Answer 12

axillary artery

Question 13

the musculocutaneous nerve arises from which vertebrae and what cord of the brachial plexus?

Answer 13

C5 and C6, lateral cord

targets biceps and brachialis of arm

Question 14

the axillary nerve arises from which vertebrae and what cord of the brachial plexus?

Answer 14

C5 and C6, posterior cord

supplies deltoid muscle (abductor) and teres minor (lateral rotator)

Question 15

the radial nerve arises from which vertebrae and what cord of the brachial plexus?

Answer 15

C5-T1 (essentially entire brachial plexus), posterior cord

Question 16

the median nerve arises from which vertebrae and what cord of the brachial plexus?

Answer 16

C5-T1 (essentially entire brachial plexus), lateral and medial cords

targets anterior forearm and hand

Question 17

the medial and lateral cords of the brachial plexus innervate what portion of the forearm and hand?

Answer 17

anterior (posterior cord innervates posterior forearm)

Question 18

the ulnar nerve arises from which vertebrae and what cord of the brachial plexus?

Answer 18

C8-T1, medial cord

innervates small amount of anterior forearm and most of intrinsic muscles of the hand