3. ❖ Lies in the neck and axilla
❖ Formed by ventral rami of C5 to T1
❖ Prefixed/ Postfixed
Brachial plexus
❖ Five major components of the Plexus
▪ ROOTS – Five ventral rami (C5-T1)
▪ TRUNKS – Upper, Middle, and Lower
▪ DIVISIONS – Anterior & Posterior
▪ CORDS – Lateral, Medial & Posterior
▪ BRANCHES – From the cords
3
Divisions
E
5. C5
C6
C7
C8
T1
Upper T
Middle T
Lower T
Roots
Trunks
Divisions
Cords
Branches
A
A
A
P
P
P
Suprascapular N
N to subclavius
Dorsal scapular N
Phrenic N
Long thoracic N
Lateral cord
Medial cord
Posterior
cord
Medial
Lateral
Brachial plexus
5
7. Branches of brachial plexus
Lateral cord
(LML)
Lateral pectoral
Musculocutaneous
Lateral root of median
C5,C6,C7
Medial cord
(UM4)
Ulnar
Median pectoral
Medial cutaneous of forearm
Medial cutaneous of arm
Medial root of median nerve
C8,T1
Ulnar (C7,C8,T1)
Posterior cord
(ULTRA)
Upper subscapular
Lower subscapular
Thoracodorsal N
Radial
Axillary
C5,C6
C5,C6
C5,C6,C7,C8
C5,C6, C7,C8,T1
C5,C6
Branches from roots
Branches from trunks
Dorsal scapular
Phrenic
Long thoracic nerve (N of Bell)
Suprascapular
N to subclavius
C5
C5
C5,C6,C7
C5,C6
C5,C6
7
13. AXILLARY NERVE
Innervates Deltoid
&Teres Minor
Sensory innervation to
Shoulder joint and to
skin over part of the
shoulder
13
Origin: Posterior Cord of
Brachial Plexus(C5-C6)
15. RADIAL NERVE Origin: Posterior Cord of Brachial
Plexus(C5-T1)
Radial Nerve
Damage
“Crutch
Paralysis………
Wrist drop”
The extensor
muscles of the
wrist & fingers,
which are
innervated by
radial nerve, fail
to function.
15
16. MEDIAN NERVE Origin: Medial and Lateral cords of Brachial
Plexus(C5-T1)- LABOURER NERVE
Median nerve
damage
Damage occurs where
the medial nerve enters
the CARPAL TUNNEL
“Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome”
Inflammation in the
wrist or increase in the
size of tendons
compresses the medial
nerve
People attempting suicide by cutting wrists, cuts the medial
nerve proximal to the carpal tunnel
16
17. 17
ULNAR NERVE Origin: Medial Cord of Brachial
Plexus(C8-T1)- MUSICIAN NERVE
Ulnar Nerve
Damage
Most easily
damaged of all
the peripheral
nerves
“Funny Bone or
Crazy Bone”
Causes painfull
tingling sensations
radiating from
ulnar side of the
forearm and hand.
18. 18
• During the fifth week of development, the peripheral nerves grow into the
mesenchyme of the limb buds
• The spinal nerves are distributed in segmental bands
• Orderly sequence of distribution Dermatomal pattern changes during growth
of the limbs
Cutaneous Innervation: upper limb
C8
20. 20
1 supraclavicular n.
2 axillary n.
3 intercostobrachial n.
4 medial cutaneous n. arm
5 radial n.
6 medial cutaneous n. forearm
7 musculocutaneous n.
8 radial n.
9 ulnar n.
10 median n.
Cutaneous nerves: upper limb
5
21. 21
1. All are true about brachial plexus EXCEPT(NEET pattern 2014)
a. Lower trunk is formed by root C8 and T1
b. Lateral cord is formed by upper and middle trunk
c. Posterior cord is formed by posterior divisions of all three trunks
d. C4 root is post fixed to plexus
Ans: d
2. Erb’s point in brachial plexus? (NEET 2016)
a. Upper trunk
b. Middle trunk
c. Lower trunk
d. Lateral trunk
Ans:a
22. 22
Root value of cutaneous innervation thumb and index finger
(AIIMS 2015)
A) C5, C6
B) C6, C7
C) C8, T1
D) C6,C6
Ans: B