Neurovascular Anatomy and Innervation of the Shoulder Girdle & Brachium

What artery branches from the aorta and supplies the head and brachium?

Brachiocephalic artery

What artery begins at the lateral border of the first rib?

Axillary artery

What artery continues from the axillary artery at the inferior border of teres major?

Brachial artery

What is the first part of the subclavian artery?

Vertebral artery, thyrocervical trunk, internal thoracic artery, suprascapular artery

What artery supplies the medial border of the scapula?

Dorsal scapular artery

What are the three parts of the axillary artery?

First part, second part, third part

What artery branches from the second part of the axillary artery?

Thoracoacromial artery

What artery supplies the latissimus dorsi?

Thoracodorsal artery

What artery encircles the lateral border of the scapula?

Circumflex scapular artery

What arteries wrap around the head and proximal surface of the humerus?

Posterior circumflex humeral artery and anterior circumflex humeral artery

What artery follows the radial nerve on the posterior aspect of the humerus?

Profunda brachii

What does the suprascapular artery supply?

Supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles

What anatomical feature does the suprascapular artery pass through?

Transverse scapular ligament on scapular notch

What is the function of the anastomosis between the dorsal scapular artery and circumflex scapular artery?

Provides collateral circulation to the scapula

What vein follows the subclavian artery?

Subclavian vein

What artery supplies the posterior aspect of the humerus?

Profunda brachii

Which artery branches off the thyrocervical trunk?

Suprascapular artery

What artery is known to have variable anatomy and can branch directly from the first part of the subclavian artery?

Suprascapular artery

What is the significance of the circumflex scapular artery?

It encircles the lateral border of the scapula and anastomoses with the suprascapular artery.

What artery follows the thoracodorsal nerve?

Thoracodorsal artery

What vein becomes the axillary vein?

Brachial vein

What are the two main superficial veins of the upper limb?

Cephalic vein and Basilic vein

Where does the cephalic vein run?

Into the deltopectoral interval (lateral anteriorly)

Where is the basilic vein located?

More medially on the surface, underneath biceps brachii

What do the cephalic and basilic veins drain into?

Brachial vein or axillary vein

What is the primary function of lymphatic vessels?

To pick up leakage from interstitial space and return it to central circulation

What are lymphatic plexuses?

Networks of lymphatic vessels that filter lymph through lymph nodes

What are the two main lymphatic ducts?

Right lymphatic duct and Thoracic duct

What does the right lymphatic duct receive lymph from?

Right side of head and neck, right thorax, right limb

What does the thoracic duct receive lymph from?

Left upper extremity, left thorax, left head and neck, and both lower extremities

What are the axillary lymph nodes involved in?

Filtering lymph from the upper limb and surrounding areas

What can disruption in the lymphatic system lead to?

Lymphedema, which is swelling due to lymph collection in interstitial space

What are the two types of roots formed from spinal cord gray matter?

Anterior (ventral) roots for motor and posterior (dorsal) roots for sensory

What is a plexus in the context of the nervous system?

A branching of anterior rami that supplies different structures with motor and sensory information

What spinal nerves make up the cervical plexus?

C1-C5

What nerve supplies the diaphragm?

Phrenic nerve (C3-C5)

What are the main branches of the brachial plexus?

Radial, Median, Ulnar, Musculocutaneous, Axillary

How many pairs of cervical nerves are there?

8 pairs (C1-C8)

Where does the C1 nerve exit?

Above the C1 vertebrae

What is the function of the dorsal scapular nerve?

Innervates the rhomboid muscles and levator scapulae

What is the role of the long thoracic nerve?

Innervates the serratus anterior muscle

What are the three trunks of the brachial plexus?

Superior, Middle, and Inferior

What does the anterior ramus of a spinal nerve form?

Named nerves in the body

What are the main trunks of the brachial plexus?

Anterior, Posterior, and Lateral trunks.

Which cord gives rise to the musculocutaneous nerve?

The lateral cord.

What nerve branches off the posterior cord and innervates teres minor and deltoid?

The axillary nerve.

Which nerve is responsible for sensation in the lateral forearm and thumb?

The C6 nerve root.

What is the function of the medial cutaneous nerve of the arm?

It provides sensory innervation to the medial arm.

Which nerve innervates the biceps brachii?

The musculocutaneous nerve.

What is the primary function of the radial nerve?

It innervates the triceps brachii and provides sensation to the back of the arm.

What is the role of the thoracodorsal nerve?

It innervates the latissimus dorsi muscle.

Which nerve is responsible for finger abduction?

The ulnar nerve.

What is the contribution of the suprascapular nerve?

It supplies the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles.

What dermatomes correspond to the C5 nerve root?

Lateral arm.

Which nerve provides sensation to the skin over the top of the shoulder?

The supraclavicular nerve.

What is the function of the medial cutaneous nerve of the forearm?

It provides sensory innervation from the medial epicondyle to the wrist.

What is the significance of myotomes in clinical assessments?

They help test weakness related to specific nerve root levels.

What does the term 'named peripheral cutaneous nerves' refer to?

Branches of nerve plexus containing fibers from multiple spinal nerve segments.

What is the primary function of the median nerve?

It innervates wrist flexors and provides sensation to the lateral aspect of the hand.

Which nerve is involved in elbow flexion?

The musculocutaneous nerve.

What spinal nerves contribute to the long thoracic nerve?

C5, C6, and C7.

What does the term 'dermatomes' refer to?

Patterns of segmental cutaneous innervation from a single nerve root.

What is the contribution of the lower subscapular nerve?

It innervates the inferior portion of subscapularis and teres major.

Which nerve is the largest branch of the brachial plexus?

The radial nerve.

What is the function of the upper subscapular nerve?

It innervates the superior portion of subscapularis.

What is the sensory innervation pattern of T2?

Medial superior arm and skin of the axilla.

Which nerve provides sensation to the skin of the axilla?

The intercostobrachial nerve.