Equine Nerves of the Brachial Plexus

Question 1

Origin of Brachial Plexus

Answer 1

C6, C7, C8, T1 & T2

Question 2

Origin of the Long Thoracic Nerve

Answer 2

C7 & C8

Question 3

Origin of the Thoracodorsal Nerve

Answer 3

C7 & C8

Question 4

Origin of the Lateral Thoracic Nerve

Answer 4

C8 & T1

Question 5

Origin of the Cranial Pectoral Nerve

Answer 5

C6, C7 & C8

Question 6

Origin of the Caudal Pectoral Nerve

Answer 6

C8 & T1

Question 7

Origin of the Subscapular Nerve

Answer 7

C6 & C7

Question 8

Origin of the Suprascapular Nerve

Answer 8

C6

Question 9

Origin of the Axiliary Nerve

Answer 9

C7 & C8

Question 10

Origin of the Cranial Cutaneous Nerve of the Arm

Answer 10

Its a cutaneous branch of the Axillary Nerve

Question 11

Origin of the Musculocutaneous Nerve

Answer 11

C6, C7 & C8

Question 12

Origin of the Ulnar Nerve

Answer 12

C8, T1 and sometimes T2

Question 13

Origin of the Caudal Cutaneous Nerve of the Foreleg

Answer 13

Emerges in middle 1/3 of the foreleg

Question 14

Origin of the Radial Nerve

Answer 14

C7, C8, & T1

Question 15

Origin of the Median Nerve

Answer 15

C8 & T1

Question 16

Function of the Brachial Plexus

Answer 16

Its a network of nerves that innervate the thoracic limb, part of thoracic Wall & muscles of the thoracic girdle

Question 17

The Brachial Plexus can be divided into 3 groups of nerves, what are they?

Answer 17

1. Nerves of the trunk
2. Nerves of the back
3. Nerves of the thoracic limb

Question 18

Function/location of the Long Thoracic Nerve

Answer 18

Most dorsal nerve of the Brachial Plexus & found on the lateral surface of the Ventral Thoracic Serratus Muscle which it innervates

Question 19

Function of the Thoracodorsal Nerve

Answer 19

It innervates the Latissimus Dorsi Muscle

Question 20

Function of the Lateral Thoracic Nerve

Answer 20

It innervates the Deep Pectoral and Cutaneous muscles of the trunk

Question 21

Function of the Cranial Pectoral Nerve

Answer 21

Generally 2 nerves which innervate the Superficial Pectoral muscles. It has no cutaneous branch.

Question 22

Function of the Caudal Pectoral Nerve

Answer 22

There are 3 or 4 of these, they innervate the Deep Pectoral muscles

Question 23

Function of the Subscapular Nerve

Answer 23

It penetrates and innervates the Scapularis Muscle. It has no cutaneous branches

Question 24

Function/location of the Suprascapular Nerve

Answer 24

Main contributor to Suprascapular Nerve. Its located between the Subscapularis and the Supraspinatus muscles on its way to the lateral aspect of the Scapular where it innervates the Supraspinatus & Infraspinatus muscles

Question 25

Function/location of the Axillary Nerve

Answer 25

Runs from axillary space to lateral region of foreleg passing between the bellies of Teres Minor & Teres Major Muscles It innervates most flexor muscles of the shoulder (Tere Minor, Teres Major & Deltoids) & the Scapularis Muscle

Question 26

Function of the Cranial Lateral Cutaneous Nerve of the foreleg

Answer 26

It innervates the skin of the lateral & cranial regions of the forelimb, cranial to the Elbow

Question 27

Function of the Musculocutaneous Nerve

Answer 27

It innervates the flexor muscles of the forelimb, palmer plane of the Carpus, Metacarpus & Digits

Question 28

Function/location of the Ulnar Nerve

Answer 28

Running caudal to the Median nerve it innervates the flexor muscles in the area, skin of the caudal plane of the forelimb & lateral plane of the distal limb

Question 29

Function/location of the Caudal Cutaneous Nerve

Answer 29

After emerging in middle 1.3 of forelimb it forms branches for some of the Flexor muscles of the Carpus, continues distally & splits again forming the dorsal & palmer branches

Question 30

Function/location of the Radial Nerve

Answer 30

Thickest nerve of the Brachial Plexus found between the long and medial heads of the Triceps muscle which it innervates. It has numerous branches, the most proximal being muscular branches. It then bifurcates in the deep (Motor) and superficial (Sensory) nerves of the forelimb. The superficial branch bifurcates again into the lateral & medial branches. The lateral branch splits again forming the lateral cutaneous nerves of the forelimb.

Question 31

Function/location of the Median Nerve

Answer 31

Runs along medial aspect of the forelimb. It bifurcates with the Musculocutaneous nerve above the Elbow. In the belly of the Pronator Teres muscle (in Elbow) it reaches the forelimb where muscular branches innervates some of the flexor muscles of the Carpus & digits