Pectoral Region and Proximal Upper Limb - Vocabulary Flashcards

A set of vocabulary-style flashcards covering key bones, muscles, vessels, and nerves of the pectoral region and proximal upper limb, based on the provided lecture notes.

Clavicle

A long, slender bone that acts as a strut between the sternum and the scapula, with a sternal (medial) end and an acromial (lateral) end; features include a smooth superior shaft and an inferior subclavian groove.

Scapula

A flat, triangular shoulder blade bone that articulates with the humerus at the glenoid cavity and with the clavicle at the acromion process.

Humerus

The long bone of the upper arm that head forms the shoulder joint with the scapula and the elbow joint with the forearm bones.

Acromioclavicular joint

The joint between the acromion of the scapula and the clavicle.

Coracoclavicular ligament

Ligamentous connection between the coracoid process of the scapula and the clavicle, comprising the conoid and trapezoid ligaments and stabilizing the AC joint.

Subclavian groove

A groove on the inferior surface of the clavicle for the subclavian vessels.

Triangular sternal end

The medial, triangular-shaped end of the clavicle that articulates with the manubrium.

Flat acromial end

The lateral, flat end of the clavicle that articulates with the acromion.

Glenohumeral joint

The ball-and-socket shoulder joint between the glenoid cavity of the scapula and the head of the humerus.

Costoclavicular ligament

Ligament attaching the clavicle to the first rib region, stabilizing the sternoclavicular area.

Subclavius

A small muscle beneath the clavicle that depresses and stabilizes the clavicle; innervated by the nerve to subclavius.

Pectoralis major

A large chest muscle (clavicular and sternocostal heads) that flexes, adducts, and medially rotates the humerus.

Pectoralis minor

A thin chest muscle that stabilizes the scapula by drawing it anteriorly and inferiorly toward the thorax.

Deltoid

Shoulder muscle that abducts the arm; composed of anterior, middle, and posterior fibers.

Serratus anterior

Muscle on the lateral thorax that protracts and holds the scapula against the thoracic wall; assists in upward rotation.

Subclavius (muscle)

Small muscle under the clavicle that depresses and stabilizes the clavicle.

Axillary artery

Continuation of the subclavian artery through the axilla; gives off branches such as the superior thoracic, thoracoacromial trunk, and lateral thoracic.

Superior thoracic artery

First branch of the second part of the axillary artery; supplies the first two intercostal spaces and nearby muscles.

Thoracoacromial trunk

Branch of the axillary artery that divides into four branches: pectoral, deltoid, acromial, and clavicular.

Pectoral branch (of Thoracoacromial trunk)

Branch supplying the pectoralis major and minor.

Deltoid branch (of Thoracoacromial trunk)

Branch supplying the deltoid muscle.

Clavicular branch (of Thoracoacromial trunk)

Branch supplying the sternoclavicular region and adjacent structures.

Lateral thoracic artery

Artery arising from the axillary artery that runs along the lateral thorax, often supplying serratus anterior and pectoral muscles.

Cephalic vein

Superficial vein of the upper limb that typically drains into the axillary vein along the lateral side of the arm.

Axillary vein

Vein formed in the upper limb region that drains into the subclavian vein; receives the cephalic vein.

Lateral pectoral nerve

Nerve from the lateral cord that innervates the pectoralis major.

Medial pectoral nerve

Nerve from the medial cord that innervates the pectoralis minor (and often the sternocostal portion of pectoralis major).

Long thoracic nerve

Nerve arising from C5-C7 that innervates the serratus anterior.

Axillary nerve

Nerve from the posterior cord that innervates the deltoid and teres minor; provides cutaneous sensation over the shoulder area.

Nerve to subclavius

Nerve branch (often from the upper trunk) that innervates the subclavius muscle.

Intercostal nerves (anterior and lateral cutaneous branches)

Nerves supplying the intercostal muscles and giving cutaneous branches to the chest wall.

Brachial plexus roots (C5–T1)

Ventral rami that give rise to trunks, divisions, cords, and branches forming the nerves of the upper limb.

Lateral cord

One of the three cords of the brachial plexus formed from the anterior divisions of the upper and middle trunks; gives rise to the musculocutaneous and lateral pectoral nerves, among others.

Medial cord

One of the brachial plexus cords formed from the anterior division of the lower trunk; gives rise to the medial pectoral, medial cutaneous nerves, ulnar nerve, and part of the median nerve.

Posterior cord

Brachial plexus cord formed by all three posterior divisions; gives rise to the axillary and radial nerves, among others.

Suprascapular nerve

Nerve from the upper trunk that innervates the supraspinatus and infraspinatus.

Dorsal scapular nerve

Nerve from the C5 root that innervates the rhomboids and levator scapulae.

Thoracodorsal nerve

Nerve from the posterior cord that innervates the latissimus dorsi.

Subscapular nerves (upper and lower)

Nerves from the posterior cord; upper subscapular nerve innervates subscapularis; lower subscapular nerve innervates subscapularis and teres major.

Serratus anterior blood supply question

Serratus anterior is primarily supplied by the lateral thoracic artery (not the long thoracic artery).