2. Functions of the Nerves Entering The
Upper Limb
1. Sensory innervation to the skin and joints
2. Motor innervation to the muscles
3. Influence over the diameter of blood vessels via sympathetic
vasomotor nerves
4. Sympathetic secretomotor supply to the sweat glands
3. What is a Brachial Plexus ?
Brachial Plexus are complicated
plexus of nerves present at the
root of the neck to enter the
upper limb
4. This allows the nerve fibers derived
from different segments of the
spinal cord to be arranged and
distributed efficiently in different
nerve trunks to the various parts of
the upper limb
5. Location & Formation
Brachial Plexus is present in the lower part
of the posterior triangle of the neck &
Axilla
It is formed by the union of the anterior
rami of the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th cervical and
the 1st thoracic spinal nerves
11. • The anterior divisions of the upper and middle
trunks unite to form the lateral cord
• The anterior division of the lower trunk
continues as the medial cord
• The posterior divisions of all three trunks join to
form the posterior trunk
12.
13. Axillary Sheath
The cords become arranged around the
axillary artery in the axilla
Brachial Plexus, the axillary artery and vein
are enclosed by a sheath of fascia called
AXILLARY SHEATH
14. Relation of Cords
All three cords of the brachial plexus lie
above and lateral to the first part of axillary
artery
15. Relation of Cords
Medial cord crosses behind the artery to
reach the medial side of the second part of
the axillary artery
Posterior cord lies behind the second part of
the artery
Lateral cord lies on the lateral side of the
second part of the artery
19. Upper Trunk:
• Nerve to subclavius (C5 and 6)
• Suprascapular nerve (supplies the
supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles)
20. Lateral Cord:
• Lateral pectoral nerve
• Musculocutaneous nerve
• Lateral root of median nerve
21. Medial Cord:
• Medial pectoral nerve
• Medial cutaneous nerve of arm and medial
cutaneous nerve of forearm
• Ulnar nerve
• Medial root of median nerve
24. Branches in Axilla
Nerve to Subclavius:
Supplies the subclavian muscle
May give contribution (C5) to the phrenic
nerve
25. Long Thoracic Nerve:
Arises from the root
Enters the axilla by passing down over the
lateral border of the 1st rib behind the
axillary vessels and brachial plexus
Supplies the serratus anterior muscle
29. Lateral Root of the Median Nerve:
Is a direct continuation of the lateral cord
Is joined by the medial root to form the
median nerve trunk
Gives no branch in the axilla
30.
31. Medial Pectoral Nerve:
Arises from the medial cord
Supplies and pierces the pectoralis minor
Muscle
Supplies the pectoralis major muscle
32. Medial Cutaneous Nerve of the Arm
Arises from the medial cord
Is joined by intercostobrachial nerve
Supplies the skin on the medial side of the
arm
33. Medial Cutaneous Nerve of the
Forearm:
Arises from the medial cord
Descends in front of the axillary artery
34. Ulnar Nerve:
Arises from the medial cord
Descends between axillary artery and vein
Gives no branches in the axilla
35. Medial Root of the Median Nerve:
Arises from the medial cord
Crosses in front of the 3rd part of axillary
artery
Joins the lateral root of the median nerve
36. Upper and Lower Subscapular Nerve:
Arise from the posterior cord
Supply the upper and lower part of the
suscapularis muscle and teres muscle (only
lower subscapular nerve)
38. Axillary Nerve:
Is one of the terminal branches of posterior
cord
Gives branch to the shoulder joint
Divides into anterior and posterior branches
39. Radial Nerve:
Largest branch of brachial plexus
Lies behind the axillary artery
Supplies the long and medial heads of
Triceps muscle and the posterior
cutaneous nerve of the arm
