This document discusses the brachial plexus and muscle testing at different neurological levels from C5 to T1. It provides details on muscles innervated, reflex and sensation testing, and functions at each level. Specifically, it notes that C5 controls the deltoid and biceps muscles, C6 controls wrist extensors, C6 and C7 both innervate the biceps, and C7 controls triceps, wrist flexors and finger extensors. C8 governs finger flexors. A summary is then provided listing the motor and sensory levels from C5 to T1.
6. Neurological Level – C7 Muscle Testing
TRICEPS C7 Radial Nerve –
ask the patient to extend
from flexion position
Wrist Flexor Group: C7,
Median and Ulnar Nerves
7. Wrist Flexor Group: C7, Median and
Ulnar Nerves
1. The flexor carpi radialis
(median nerve) – C7, more
important, strong flexor
2. The flexor carpi ulnaris
(ulnar nerve) – C8, less
important, weak flexor
Divided into 4 parts. And each part has its own branches to different parts of the upper extremities
Neither of the C6 muscle is pure
Neither of the C6 muscle tests is pure; the
wrist extensor group is innervated partially by C6
and partially by C7, while the biceps has both C5
and C6 innervation
Neither of the C6 muscle is pure
ask the patient to make
a fist and to flex his wrist as you resist against the
palmar aspect of his closed fist.
To test finger extension, press on the dorsum of the patient’s extended fingers
Sensation is supplied to the middle finger by
C7. Occasionally, middle finger sensation is also supplied by C6 and C8.
test finger flexion, curl or lock your fingers into
the patient’s flexed fingers and try to pull
them out of flexion
C8 supplies sensation to the ring and little fingers of the hand and to the distal half of the
forearm’s ulnar side. The ulnar side of the little finger is the purest area for ulnar nerve sensation
(predominantly C8)