Brachial plexus is the plexus of nerves formed by anterior (ventral) rami of last four cervical and first thoracic spinal nerves. (C5, C6, C7, C8, T1) It is divided into five subunits:
- Roots
- Trunks
- Division
- Cords
- Branches
Mnemonics :- Randy Travis Drinks Cold Beer
ROOTS:- They constitute anterior primary rami of C5 to T1 spinal nerves. They are located in the neck.
TRUNKS :-
Upper trunk:- is formed by the union of C5 and C6 root.
Middle Trunk :– is formed by C7 alone.
Lower trunk:-is formed by union of C8 and T1 roots. They also located in the neck.
DIVISIONS:- Each trunk is divided to form anterior and posterior divisions.They are located behind clavicle.
CORDS:- Lateral cord is formed by union of anterior division of upper and middle trunk.
Medial cord is continuation of anterior division of lower trunk Posterior cord is formed by union of posterior division of all trunks. Cords are located in the axilla
BRANCHES:-
Branches of Brachial Plexus:-
(A) FROM ROOTS :- (1) Long thoracic nerve (2) Dorsal scapular nerve
(B) FROM TRUNKS :-
- Suprascapular nerve
- Nerve to subclavius
(C) FROM CORDS:-
From lateral cord :-
- Lateral pectoral nerve
- Lateral root of median nerve
- Musculocutaneous nerve
From medial cord :-
- Medial pectoral nerve
- Medial cutaneous nerve of arm
- Medial cutaneous nerve of forearm
- Medial root of median nerve
- Ulnar nerve
From posterior cord:-
- Radial nerve
- Axillary nerve
- Thoracodorsal nerve
- Upper subscapular nerve
- Lower subscapular nerve
Mnemoics :- Branches of posterior cord
STAR
- Subscapular (upper and lower)
- Thoracodorsal
- Axillary
- Radial
CLINICAL ANATOMY
- Erb’s paralysis
- Klumpke’s paralysis
