Brachial plexus. The brachial plexus is a network of nerves formed by the ventral rami of the lower four cervical nerves and first thoracic nerve ( C5, C6, C7, C8, and T1 ). This plexus extends from the spinal cord, through the cervicoaxillary canal in the neck, over the first rib, and into the armpit.
What is the posterior cord of the brachial plexus?
The posterior cord gives rise to five important nerves or terminal branches of the brachial plexus. These include; Medial cord: It is formed by the anterior division of the inferior trunk only. The root value of the medial trunk is C5-T1. This cord also gives rise to five nerves or terminal branches of the brachial plexus which include;
What are the major divisions of the brachial plexus?
Key facts about the brachial plexus Roots C5, C6, C7, C8, T1 Divisions Three anterior divisions - Anterior di ... Cords Lateral Medial Posterior Terminal branches Musculocutaneous nerve Axillary nerve Ra ... Innervation Complete sensory and motor innervation o ... 1 more rows ...
What does the brachial plexus supply?
Log In. The brachial plexus is a network of nerve fibres that supplies the skin and musculature of the upper limb. It begins in the root of the neck, passes through the axilla, and runs through the entire upper extremity. The plexus is formed by the anterior rami (divisions) of cervical spinal nerves C5, C6, C7 and C8, ...
What nerves are in the brachial plexus?
The Brachial plexus is a plexus of nerves which is made up of the C4, C5, C6, C7, C8 and T1 spinal nerves. The C4 to C8 spinal nerves are the anterior (ventral) rami of the lower four cervicals and T1 is the first thoracic nerve. The Brachial plexus supplies afferent and efferent nerve fibers to the chest, shoulder, arm and hand.
Where are the cords of the brachial plexus located?
The cords pass over the first rib close to the dome of the lung and continue under the clavicle immediately posterior to the subclavian artery. Diagram showing basic relationships of the brachial plexus to the pectoralis minor muscle and the axillary artery, which is a continuation of the subclavian artery.
What are the 3 branches of the lateral cord of the brachial plexus?
This segment of the brachial plexus gives rise to three lateral branches: dorsal scapular nerve, long thoracic nerve and intercostal nerve.
What are the 5 parts of the brachial plexus?
The brachial plexus emerges at five different levels: C5, C6, C7, C8, and T1. C5 and C6 merge to establish the upper trunk, C7 continuously forms the middle trunk, and C8 and T1 merge to establish the lower trunk. Prefixed or postfixed formations in some cases involve C4 or T2, respectively.
What does the lateral cord of brachial plexus do?
The lateral cord of the brachial plexus represents the confluence of the anterior divisions of the upper and middle trunks. The lateral pectoral nerve is the first branch of the lateral cord and provides motor innervation to the pectoralis major muscle.
What are the 5 terminal nerves of the brachial plexus?
The 5 terminal branches of the brachial plexus are the musculocutaneous, median, ulnar, axillary, and radial nerves.
How many nerves are in the brachial plexus?
fiveBrachial Plexus Anatomy The brachial plexus ends in five major nerve branches that extend down the arm: Musculocutaneous nerve: Originates from nerve roots C5-C7 and flexes muscles in the upper arm, at both the shoulder and elbow.
What is the lateral cord?
Medical Definition of lateral cord : a cord of nerve tissue that is formed by union of the superior and middle trunks of the brachial plexus and that forms one of the two roots of the median nerve — compare medial cord, posterior cord.
Where does the brachial plexus start and end?
The brachial plexus passes from the neck to the axilla and supplies the upper limb. It is formed from the ventral rami of the 5th to 8th cervical nerves and the ascending part of the ventral ramus of the 1st thoracic nerve. Branches from the 4th cervical and the 2nd thoracic ventral ramus may contribute.
How do you remember the nerve roots of the brachial plexus?
Mnemonics for brachial plexus root subdivisions include:Rad Techs Drink Cold Beer.Robbie T Drinks Cold Beer.Rugby Teams Drink Cold Beers.Reach To Drink Cold Beer.Read That Damn Cadaver Book.Really Tired, Don't Care Now (nerve instead of branch)Red Toucans Don't Come Back.
Why is there C8 in brachial plexus?
Motor. The C8 nerve contributes to the motor innervation of many of the muscles in the trunk and upper limb. Its primary function is the flexion of the fingers, and this is used as the clinical test for C8 integrity, in conjunction with the finger jerk reflex.
What are the branches of lateral cord?
The terminal branches of the lateral cord are the lateral pectoral nerve and the musculocutaneous nerve (which itself terminates as the lateral cutaneous nerve of the forearm). The lateral cord also contributes to the median nerve (Figure 40.1).
Which nerve arises from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus?
The radial nerve arises from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus and travels to the upper arm via the axilla.
What are the branches of lateral cord?
The terminal branches of the lateral cord are the lateral pectoral nerve and the musculocutaneous nerve (which itself terminates as the lateral cutaneous nerve of the forearm). The lateral cord also contributes to the median nerve (Figure 40.1).
How many branches does the lateral cord have?
It gives 3 named branches; lateral pectoral nerve (C5, C6, C7) that pierces the clavipectoral fascia before supplying the pectoralis major muscle, musculocutaneous nerve (C5, C6, C7) which pierces the coracobrachialis muscle, supplies the muscles in the front of the arm and then continues as lateral cutaneous nerve of ...
What makes up the lateral cord?
The lateral cord is the part of the brachial plexus formed by the anterior divisions of the upper (C5-C6) and middle trunks (C7). Its name comes from it being lateral to the axillary artery as it passes through the axilla.
What is the lateral cord?
Medical Definition of lateral cord : a cord of nerve tissue that is formed by union of the superior and middle trunks of the brachial plexus and that forms one of the two roots of the median nerve — compare medial cord, posterior cord.
Introduction
Overview of The Brachial Plexus
Structure of The Brachial Plexus
Terminal Branches
Brachial Plexus Injuries
- The brachial plexus is a complex intercommunicating network of nerves formed by spinal nerves C5, C6, C7, C8 and T1. It supplies all sensory innervation to theupper limb and most of the axilla, with the exception of an area of the medial upper arm and axilla, which is supplied by the intercostobrachial nerve T2. It supplies all motor innervation to...
References
- Figure 1 summarises the structure and branchesof the brachial plexus. The brachial plexus is easier to understand once broken down into its component segments: these are roots, trunks, divisions, cords andterminal branches.