Brachial Plexus

· Roots (C5-T1)

o C5-8 to longus coli and scalene muscles

o C5 – dorsal scapular nerve to rhomboids and levator scapulae

o C5-7 – long thoracic nerve to serratus anterior

· Trunks

o Superior

§ suprascapular nerve to supraspinatous and infraspinatous

§ nerve to subclavius muscle

o Middle – no branches

o Inferior – no branches

· Divisions

o No branches

· Cords

o Lateral

§ lateral pectoral nerve to pectoralis muscles (C5-7)

o Posterior

§ upper subscapular nerve to teres major (C5-6)

§ thoracodorsal to latissimus dorsi (C7-8)

§ lower subscapular nerve to subscapularis (C5-6)

o Medial

§ medial pectoral nerve to pectoralis muscles (C8-T1)

§ medial brachial cutaneous nerve to upper arm sensation (T1)

§ medial anebrachial cutaneous nerve to lower arm sensation (C8-T1)

· Branches

o Lateral cord

§ Musculocutaneous (lateral cord) to biceps, brachialis, coracobrachialis (C5-7)

o Posterior cord

§ Axillary to deltoid and teres minor (C5-7)

§ Radial to triceps, extensor crapi radialis longus and brevis, posterior interosseous nerve (supplies extensor carpi ulnaris, supinator, abductor pollicis longus, and extensor digitorum), extensor digiti minimi, extensor pollicis longus and brevis, and extensor indicis (C5-8)

· basically all extensors and APL

o Lateral and medial cord

§ Median to pronator teres, flexor carpi radialis, palmaris longus, flexor digitorum superficialis, abductor pollicis brevis, flexor pollicis brevis (with ulnar nerve), opponens pollicis, lubricals 1 and 2, anterior interosseous nerve (supplies pronator quadratus, flexor pollicis longus, and flexor digitorum longus 1 and 2) (C6-T1)

· Basically most forearm flexors, ABP, and only LOAF among intrinsic hand muscles

o Medial cord

§ Ulnar to flexor carpi ulnaris, flexor digitorum profundus 3 and 4, abductor digiti minimi, opponens digiti minimi, flexor digiti minimi, lumbricals 3 and 4, dorsal and palmar interosseous, flexor pollicis brevis (with median nerve), adductor pollicis (C8-T1)

· Basically most intrinsic hand muscles; only FCU and FDP3-4 in forearm