Unit 2 Flashcards
(302 cards)
Brachial plexus
A complex of nerves which innervate the muscles of the upper limb, and the skin that overlies them.
Named nerves
Sorted from plexuses, these nerves come from multiple levels of the spinal cord to deliver motor and sensory innervation within a particular compartment of the limb.
What areas of the spinal cord are brachial plexus formed from?
Ventral rami C5-T1
When do plexuses form in embryos?
5-8 weeks gestation
The bone of the upper limb forms an axis which divides the limb transversely into two portions called:
- Preaxial portion
2. Postaxial portion
Describe the preaxial portion of the upper limb
The portion of the limb which lies on the cranial side of the long axis through the limb. (Thumb side)
Describe the postaxial portion of the upper limb
The portion of the limb which lies caudal to the long axis through the limb. (Pinky side)
During development, the preaxial and postaxial portions of the limb will each be further divided coronally into two compartments called:
- Anterior compartment
2. Posterior compartment
Anterior compartment is also considered to be ___ (flexor OR extensor) compartment.
Flexor compartment. Most of muscles in the anterior half of the limb flex the joints that they cross; when they contract, the angle between the bones decreases.
Posterior compartment is also considered to be ___ (flexor OR extensor) compartment.
Extensor compartment. Most of the muscles of the posterior aspect of the limb share the ability to extend at the joints (increase the angle between the bones).
What is a nerve plexus?
A collection of nerve fibers.
Which spinal nerves innervate the preaxial upper limb?
C5-C7
Which spinal nerves innervate the postaxial upper limb?
C8-T1
When is innervation established in upper limbs?
Innervation is established BEFORE the limb grows.
When the limbs grow longer during limb development, what happens to the innervation?
No matter how the limb’s shape changes, the innervation remains the same.
Each root of the brachial plexus branch from…
Ventral rami of spinal nerves from C5-T1.
They’re not the same thing as dorsal/ventral roots.
Roots of brachial plexus contain which fibers: Flexor (anterior), extensor (posterior), or both?
All 5 roots contain BOTH flexor (anterior) and extensor (posterior)
What are the 5 components of the brachial plexus?
- Roots
- Trunks
- Divisions
- Cords
- Named nerves
Roots C5-T1 branch into…
- Upper trunk: roots C5 and C6
- Middle trunk: root C7
- Lower trunk: roots C8 and T1
Trunks of brachial plexus contain which fibers: Flexor (anterior), extensor (posterior), or both?
All 3 trunks contain BOTH flexor (anterior) and extensor (posterior)
Each trunk branches into…
- Anterior division (3)
2. Posterior division (3)
Divisions of brachial plexus contain which fibers: Flexor (anterior), extensor (posterior), or both?
All 3 anterior divisions are ONLY flexor (anterior);
All 3 posterior divisions are ONLY extensor (posterior).
Each division branches into…
- Posterior cord: all posterior division fibers (C5-T1); lies posterior to axillary artery
- Lateral cord: anterior division fibers from upper and middle trunks (C5-C7); lateral to axillary artery
- Medial cord: anterior division fibers from lower trunk (C8-T1); medial to axillary artery
Cords of brachial plexus contain which fibers: Flexor (anterior), extensor (posterior), or both?
Posterior cord is ONLY extensor (posterior);
Lateral cord is ONLY flexor (anterior) from upper and middle trunks;
Medial cord is ONLY flexor (anterior) from lower lower trunk