The brachial plexus is a network of nerves formed by the ventral roots of spinal nerves C5-T1 that supplies the upper limb. It has roots, trunks, divisions, cords, and branches. The roots form the trunks, which then divide into anterior and posterior divisions. These divisions then combine to form three cords - lateral, medial, and posterior. The cords further divide into branches that innervate specific muscles and skin in the arm.

1. BRACHIAL PLEXUS

2. BRACHIAL PLEXUS is a meshwork/network of
nerves formed by the spinal nerves to supply
nervous connections to the upper limb
LOCATION:- From neck up to axilla, posterior to the
clavicle
FORMATION:- Formed by the ventral roots of ventral rami
of C5,C6,C7,C8 & T1 spinal nerves
PARTS OF THE PLEXUS
• ROOTS
• TRUNK
• DIVISIONS
• CORDS
• BRANCHES/NERVES

3. 1. ROOTS:- formed by the roots of C5 to T2
spinal nerves
2. TRUNK:- Trunks are formad by the
combination of the roots.
Upper trunk: By the unification of C5 &
C6 roots
Middle trunk: By the C7 roots
Lower trunk: By the unification of C8 &
T1 roots
3. DIVISIONS:- Each trunk later divides into
anterior and posterior divisions

4. 4.CORDS:- The divisions later
combine to form three cords
Lateral cord: Anterior divisions
of the upper and middle trunks
Medial cord: Anterior division
of lower trunk
Posterior cord: Posterior
divisions of all the trunks

5. 5. BRANCHES:- Cords later divide into different
nerves or branches that supply specific
muscles and organ sites
Lateral Cord: Lateral Pectoral nerve (C5, C6,
C7)
Musculo-cutaneous nerve (C5,
C6, C7)
Lateral root of median nerve
(C5 , C6)

6. Medial Cord: Medial Pectoral (C8, T1)
Medial root of median nerve (C7, C8, T1)
Medial cutaneous nerve of arm (C8, T1)
Medial cutaneous nerve of forearm (C8
T1)
Ulnar nerve (C8 T1)
Posterior Cord: Up. Subscapularis nerve (C5, C6)
Lw. Subscapularis nerve (C5, C6)
Radial nerve (C5 to T1)
Axillary nerve (C5 , C6,C7)
Nerve to teres maj. Or latissmus dorsi
(C6, C7,C8)

7. C5
C6
C7
C8
T1
U
M
Lanterior
anterior
LAT. PECTORAL
MED. PECTORAL
MUSCULO-
CUTANEOUS
LAT. ROOT OF MEDIAN
MED. ROOT OF MEDIAN
ULNAR
MED CUTANE. ARM FOREARM
U. SUBSCAPULARIS
RADIAL
L. SUBSCAPULARIS
AXILLARY
NERVE TO
LAT.DORSI
LATERAL
POSTERIOR
MEDIAL
anterior