nerves of upper limb

brachial plexus

somatic nerve plexus formed by anterior rami of C5-T1

passes between anterior and middle scalenes

roots of brachial plexus

anterior rami of C5-T1

carry postgangionic sympathetic fibers

trunks of brachial plexus

originate from roots passing over rib 1

superior trunk

formed by C5 and C6 roots

middle trunk

formed by C7 root

inferior trunk

formed by C8 and T1 roots

divisions of brachial plexus

formed from each trunk

anterior divisions

give rise to nerves associated with anterior compartments

posterior divisions

give rise to nerves associated with posterior compartments

cords of brachial plexus

originate from divisions

lateral cord

forms from anterior divisions of upper and middle trunks (C5-C7)

medial cord

forms from anterior division of inferior trunk (C8-T1)

posterior cord

forms from posterior divisions of all trunks (C5-T1)

braches of brachial plexus

periferal nerves arising from various parts of brachial plexus

dorsal scapular nerve

originates from C5 root

motor: rhomboid major and minor

long thoracic nerve

originates from C5, C6, and C7 roots

motor: serratus anterior

suprascapular nerve

originates from superior trunk (C5-C6)

motor: supraspinatus and infraspinatus

nerve to subclavius

originates from superior trunk (C5-C6)

motor: subclavius

lateral pectoral nerve

proximal branch of lateral cord (C5-C7)

motor: pectoralis major

musculocutaneous nerve

large terminal branch of lateral cord (C5-C7)

sensory: lateral forearm

motor: anterior compartment

medial pectoral nerve

proximal branch of medial cord (C8-T1)

motor: pectoralis major and minor

medial cutaneous nerve of arm

(C8-T1)

sensory: medial distal 1/3 arm

medial cutaneous nerve of forearm

(C8-T1)

sensory: medial forearm

ulnar nerve

large terminal branch of medial cord (C8-T1)

sensory: medial palm and wrist, palmar and dorsal surface of medial 1 and ½ digits

motor: flexor carpi ulnaris and felxor digitorum, intrisnic muscles of hand

median nerve

lateral root arises as largest terminal branch of lateral cord

medial root arises as terminal branch of medial cord

(C6-T1)

sensory: palmar surface of middle wrist and lateral palm, palmar surface of lateral 3 and ½ digits

motor: anterior compartment of forearm, 3 thenar muscles and 2 lateral lumbricals in hand

superior subscapular, thoracadorsal, and inferior subscapular nerves

arise sequentially along posterior cord

axillary nerve

(C5-C6)

sensory: upper lateral arm

motor: deltoid and teres minor

radial nerve

largest terminal branch of posterior cord (C5-T1)

sensory: posterior and inferolateral arm, posterior forearm, dorsolateral hand

motor: posterior compartment of arm and forearm

superior subscapular nerve

(C5-C6)

motor: subscapularis

thoracodorsal nerve

(C6-C8)

motor: latissimus dorsi

inferior subscapular nerve

(C5-C6)

motor: subscapularis and teres major

suprascapular nerve

originates in the back of neck from superior trunk of brachial plexus

terminates in infraspinatus fossa after innervating infraspinatus

axillary nerve

originates from posterior cord of brachial plexus

innervates deltoid and teres minor

gives off cutaneous branch to supply lateral arm

radial nerve

originates from posterior cord of brachial plexus

supplies triceps brachii, anconeous, and portion of brachialis in arm

gives rise to multiple cutaneous branches

gives off superficial and deep brnaches

posterior interosseous nerve

distal to interosseous membrane

supplies remaining forearm muslces

median nerve in cubital fossa

most medial structure

exits between heads of pronator teres

lateral cutaneous nerve of forearm

terminal branch of musculocutaneous nerve

supplies lateral forearm

median nerve in anterior forearm

gives off anterior interosseous nerve

median nerve at wrist

gives off palmar branch superficial to palmar aponerosis

palmar branch of median nerve

supplies skin over proximal and central aplm

ulnar nerve in anterior forearm

gives off palmar branch and dorsal branch

palmar branch of ulnar nerve

supplies skin of medial palm

dorsal branch of ulnar nerve

supplies skin on posteromedial dorsum, ½ digit 4 and most of digit 5

median nerve in hand

enters carpal tunnel and divides

recurrent branch of the median nerve

innervates thenar muscles

palmar digital nerves

branch of median nerve

innervates skin on palmar lateral 3.5 digits and distal of same

also innervates lateral 2 lumbricals

ulnar nerve in hand

enters hand lateral to pisiform and divides

superficial branch of ulnar nerve

innervates palmaris brevis

supply skin of palmar digit 5 and part of 4

deep branch of ulnar nerve

innervates hypothenar muscles

2 lumbricals, interossei, and adductor pollicis