16 Peripheral Nerve Functions

Question 1

Lateral pectoral nerve (C5-7)

Answer 1

function- sensory, postganglionic sympathetic & motor innervation of the pectoralis major (clavicular head) & minor muscles

Question 2

Musculocutaneous nerve (C5-7)

Answer 2

i. Muscular branches
function- sensory, postganglionic sympathetic & motor innervation of the biceps brachii, coracobrachialis & brachialis muscles

ii. Lateral cutaneous nerve of the forearm
function- sensory & postganglionic sympathetic innervation of the skin overlying the lateral aspect of the forearm

Question 3

Lateral root of the median nerve (C5-7)

Answer 3

1. Muscular branches in the forearm
   function- sensory, postganglionic sympathetic & motor innervation of the flexor carpi radialis, palmaris longus, flexor digitorum superficialis, & pronator teres muscles
2. Anterior interosseous nerve
   function- sensory, postganglionic sympathetic & motor innervation of the flexor pollicis longus, flexor digitorum profundus & pronator quadratus muscles
3. Palmar cutaneous branch
   function- sensory & postganglionic sympathetic innervation of the skin overlying the radial aspect of the palm of the hand
4. Muscular branches in the hand
   function- sensory, postganglionic sympathetic & motor innervation of the lateral two lumbrical muscles
5. Recurrent branch of the median nerve (C6-T1)
   function- sensory, postganglionic sympathetic & motor innervation of the flexor pollicis brevis, abductor pollicis brevis & opponens pollicis muscles
6. Common & proper palmar digital nerves
   function- sensory & postganglionic sympathetic innervation of the skin overlying digits 1-4

Question 4

Suprascapular nerve (C4-6)

Answer 4

function- sensory , postganglionic sympathetic & motor innervation of the supraspinatus & infraspinatus muscles

Question 5

Subclavian nerve (C5-6)

Answer 5

function- sensory, postganglionic sympathetic & motor innervation of the subclavius muscle

Question 6

Medial pectoral nerve (C8-T1)

Answer 6

function- sensory, postganglionic sympathetic & motor innervation of the pectoralis major (sternocostal head) & minor muscles

Question 7

Medial cutaneous nerves of the arm & forearm (C8-T1)

Answer 7

function- sensory & postganglionic sympathetic innervation of the skin overlying the medial aspect of the arm & forearm

Question 8

Medial Root Median Nerve (C8-T1)

Answer 8

Same as Lateral Root of Median Nerve

Question 9

Ulnar nerve (C7-T1)

Answer 9

i. Muscular branches in the forearm
function- sensory, postganglionic sympathetic & motor innervation of the flexor carpi ulnaris & flexor digitorum profundus muscles

ii. Palmar (cutaneous) branch
function- sensory & postganglionic sympathetic innervation of the skin overlying the ulnar side of the palm
(1) Common palmar digital nerves (supplying digits 4 & 5)
(a) Proper palmar digital nerves

iii. Dorsal (cutaneous) branch
function- sensory & postganglionic sympathetic innervation of the skin overlying the dorsal surfaces of digits 4 & 5

iv. Deep (terminal) branch (C8-T1)
function- sensory, postganglionic sympathetic & motor innervation of the abductor digiti minimi, flexor digiti minimi, flexor pollicis brevis, opponens digiti minimi, palmar interossei, dorsal interossei, medial two lumbricals & adductor pollicis muscles

Question 10

Upper subscapular nerve (C5-6)

Answer 10

function- sensory, postganglionic sympathetic & motor innervation of the subscapularis muscle

Question 11

Thoracodorsal nerve (C6-8)

Answer 11

function- sensory, postganglionic sympathetic & motor innervation of the latissimus dorsi muscle

Question 12

Lower subscapular nerve (C5-6)

Answer 12

function- sensory, postganglionic sympathetic & motor innervation of the subscapularis & teres major muscles

Question 13

Axillary nerve (C5-6)

Answer 13

i. Muscular branches in the arm
function- sensory, postganglionic sympathetic & motor innervation of the deltoid & teres minor muscles

ii. Superior lateral cutaneous nerve of the arm
function- sensory & postganglionic sympathetic innervation of the skin overlying the superior lateral aspect of the arm

Question 14

Radial nerve (C5-T1)

Answer 14

Muscular branches in the arm
function- sensory, postganglionic sympathetic & motor innervation of the triceps brachii & brachialis muscles

ii. Muscular branches (deep & posterior interosseous nn.) in the forearm
function- sensory, postganglionic sympathetic & motor innervation of the anconeus, brachioradialis, supinator, extensor carpi radialis longus, extensor carpi radialis brevis, extensor carpi ulnaris, extensor digitorum, extensor digiti minimi, extensor indicis, extensor pollicis brevis, extensor pollicis longus & abductor pollicis longus muscles

iii. Posterior cutaneous nerve of the forearm
function- sensory & postganglionic sympathetic innervation of the skin overlying the posterior aspect of the forearm

iv. Superficial (terminal) branch
function- sensory & postganglionic sympathetic innervation of the skin overlying the radial side of the dorsum of the hand

Question 15

Dorsal scapular nerve (C4-5)

Answer 15

function- postganglionic sympathetic & motor (not sensory ) to levator scapulae & rhomboid muscles

Question 16

Long thoracic nerve (C5-7)

Answer 16

function- sensory , postganglionic sympathetic & motor to serratus anterior muscle