Brachial Plexus

Question 1

Arrangement of brachial plexus

Answer 1

REAL TEENAGERS DRINK COLD BEER

Roots (eg C5-T1)
Trunks (superior, middle, inferior)
Divisions (anterior and posterior)
Cords (Lateral, Posterior and Medial)
Branches

Question 2

Peripheral nerves of brachial plexus (main branch)

Answer 2

Musculocutaneous
Median 
Ulnar
Axillary
Radial

Question 3

Lateral branches

Answer 3

Musculocutaneous

Median

Question 4

Medial branch

Answer 4

Ulnar

Question 5

Posterior branches

Answer 5

Axillary

Radial

Question 6

What do anterior divisions, cords and branches supply?

Answer 6

Anterior compartments

Question 7

What do posterior divisions/cords supply?

Answer 7

Posterior compartments

Question 8

Anterior compartments

Answer 8

Musculocutaneous
Median
Ulnar
(lateral and medial branches)

Question 9

Posterior compartment nerves

Answer 9

Axillary

Radial

Question 10

Musculocutaneous nerve

Answer 10

Nerve root: C5-C7
Motor: anterior arm (biceps)
Sensory: Lateral forearm

(3 musketeers)

Question 11

Axillary nerve

Answer 11

Nerve root: C5 and C6
Motor: shoulder muscles
Sensory: Lateral arm (regimental badge)

(2 assassinated)

Question 12

Median nerve

Answer 12

Nerve root: C6 C7 C8 T1
Motor: Anterior forearm
Sensory: Lateral 3 digits of hand (thumb to half of ring finger)

(4 mice)

Question 13

Radial nerve

Answer 13

Nerve roots: C5 C6 C7 C8 T1
Motor: Posterior arm/forearm
Sensory: Posterior arm/forearm

(RADIAL = posterior, 5 rats)

Question 14

Ulnar

Answer 14

Nerve roots: C8 T1
Motor supply: Intrinsic hand muscles
Sensory: medial 1 1/2 digits of hand (little finger and half ring finger)

(2 unicorns)

Question 15

How is brachial plexus injured?

Answer 15

Upper plexus: Excessive lateral flexion of neck

Lower plexus; Hyperabduction/extension of shoulder

Question 16

Nerve roots affected in upper and lower plexus injuries

Answer 16

Upper: C5 and C6
Lower: C8 and T1

Question 17

Long thoracic nerve roots

Answer 17

C5-C7 (directly from nerve roots)

Question 18

Medial and lateral pectoral cords nerve roots

Answer 18

Medial pectoral: from medial cord (C8-T1)

Lateral pectoral: from lateral cord (C5-C7)

Question 19

Identify brachial plexus from prosection

Answer 19

LOOK FOR M 
Y shape = median nerve 
Follow up to lateral branch 
Find where musculocutaneous comes off
Follow median nerve to medial branch = ulnar nerve 

Posterior branch is below artery deeeeep
First branch off = axillary
Longer branch = radial

Question 20

Injury to upper brachial plexus =

Answer 20

'Waiters tip' (C5 and C6 affected)
Elbow extended
Adducted
Internally rotated
Wrist flexion 
Pronation 

= ‘erbs palsy’

Question 21

Injury to lower brachial plexus =

Answer 21

C8 and T1 affected
Klumpke’s palsy
Claw hand (abduction of thumb, flexion interphlalangeal and extension of metacarpophalangeal joints)

Question 22

Actions to injure upper plexus

Answer 22

Head to shoulder (birthing when shoulders impacted)

Question 23

Actions to injure lower plexus

Answer 23

Falls from tree and grabs branch as falling

Babies arm delivered first and traction applied