This document outlines the branches and innervation of the brachial plexus. It details the roots, trunks, divisions and cords that make up the brachial plexus, as well as the specific nerves that originate from each cord and their muscle and skin innervation.

1. Dorsal scapular nerve (C5) Rhomboideus major, rhomboideus minor
Roots Long thoracic nerve
Serratus anterior
(C5, 6, 7)
Upper Suprascapular nerve (C5, 6) Supraspinatus and infraspinatus
Trunk Nerve to subclavius (C5, 6) Subclavius and root to phrenic nerve
Lateral pectoral nerve
Pectoralis major and minor muscles
(C5, 6, 7)
Coracobrachialis, two heads of biceps brachii, brachialis, lateral
Musculocutaneous nerve
Lateral Cord
cutaneous nerve of forearmsupplies skin along lateral side of
(C5, 6, 7)
(C5, 6, 7)
forearm
Pronator teres, flexor carpi radialis, palmaris longus, flexor
digitorum superficialis, flexor pollicis longus, flexor digitorum
Lateral root of median nerve profundus (lateral half), pronator quadratus; palmar
(C5, 6, 7) cutaneousbranch to lateral half of palm and digital branches to
palmar surface of lateral three and a half fingers; articular
branches to elbow, wrist, and carpal joints
Medial pectoral nerve
Pectoralis major and minor muscles
(C8, T1)
Medial cutaneous nerve of
Skin of medial side of arm
arm (C8, T1)
Medial cutaneous nerve of
Skin of medial side of forearm
forearm (C8, T1)
Medial Cord
Flexor carpi ulnaris and medial half of flexor digitorum
(C8, T1)
Ulnar nerve (C7, C8, T1) profundus, palmaris brevis, abductor digiti minimi, flexor digiti
(C7 fibres reach by a minimi, opponens digiti minimi, fourth and third lumbricals,
communicating branch from palmar and dorsal interossei, adductor pollicis, flexor pollicis
lateral root of median nerve.) brevis, skin of medial half ofdorsum of hand and palm, skin of
palmar and dorsal surfaces of medial oneand a half fingers
Abductor pollicis brevis, flexor pollicis brevis, opponens
pollicis, first twolumbricals (by way of anterior interosseous
Medial root of median nerve
branch), palmar cutaneousbranch to lateral half of palm and
(C8, T1)
digital branches to palmar surface of lateralthree and a half
fingers; articular branches to elbow, wrist, and carpal joints
Upper subscapular nerve
Subscapularis
(C5, 6)
Thoracodorsal nerve
Latissimus dorsi
(C6, 7, 8)
Lower subscapular nerve
Subscapularis and teres major
(C5, 6)
Posterior Cord
Deltoid and teres minor, upper lateral cutaneous nerve of arm
Axillary nerve (C5, 6)
supplies skin over lower half of deltoid muscle
Triceps, anconeus, part of brachialis, extensor carpi radialis
longus; via deep radial nerve branch supplies extensor muscles
of forearm: supinator, extensorcarpi radialis brevis, extensor
carpi ulnaris, extensor digitorum, extensor digiti minimi,
extensor indicis, abductor pollicis longus, extensor pollicis
Radial nerve (C5, 6, 7, 8, T1)
longus, extensor pollicis brevis; skin, lower lateral cutaneous
nerve of arm, posteriorcutaneous nerve of arm, and posterior
cutaneous nerve of forearm; skin on lateral side of dorsum of
hand and dorsal surface of lateral three and a halffingers;
articular branches to elbow, wrist, and hand