Upper Limb ( 25% ) Flashcards
(103 cards)
The axillary artery:
- arises from the vertebral artery.
- is divided into 3 parts by teres major.
- is clasped in its 3rd part by the cords of the brachial plexus.
- has no branches in its 3rd part.
- supplies the pectoral muscles via the superior thoracic a.
supplies the pectoral muscles via the superior thoracic a.
(As does the lateral thoracic)
Superior thoracic artery is the branch off first part axillary a.
Also supplies serratus anterior and subclavius
- arises from the subclavian artery
- Is divided into 3 parts by Pec Minor
- Is clasped in its2nd part by the cords of the brachial plexus
- Has Three branches in its third part
With regard to the brachial plexus:
- the axillary n is derived from the lateral cord.
- the radial nerve is derived from C7, 8 and T1.
- the nerve to subclavius is the only branch from the trunks.
- there are 7 divisions of the trunks.
- the roots lie between the scalene muscles.
The roots lie between the scalene muscles
and emerge between middle and anterior scalene
- the axillary n is derived from the posterior cord
- The radial nerve is derived from C5-T1
- Three nerves off the roots: D**orsal scapular (C5), the nerve to subclavius (C5/6), and long thoracic (C5,6,7) [there is also one nerve off the trunks - suprascapular off the superior trunk. These 4 nerves are the supraclavicular branches].
- There are Six divisions of trunks (1 each ant/post for each trunk)
Which is not a branch of the axillary artery: (>1 ANSWER)
- Thoracoacromial
- Sup thoracic
- Post CX humeral
- Dorsal scapular.
- CX scapular.
- Med thoracic
- Lateral thoracic
Dorsal scapular - subclavian artery
Circumflex scapular - subscapular artery (which is branch of axilla)
Med thoracic - aka internal thoracic - branch of subclavian

1) With regard to the pectoral girdle:
- a) contains three joints, the sternoclavicular, the acromioclavicular and the glenohumeral
- b) serratus anterior, the rhomboids and subclavius attach the scapula to the axial skeleton
- c) pectoralis major and deltoid are the only muscular attachments between the clavicle and the upper limb
- d) teres major provides attachment between the axial skeleton and the girdle
a) Pectoral girdle is the scapula and the clavicle.
5 joints are the SC, AC, glenohumeral, scapulocostal, and suprahumeral
b) The scapula attaches to the axial skeleton by serratus anterior (medial border), pec minor, rhomboids (major and minor), levator scapulae, trapezius.
Subclavius o.1st rib i.middle third clavicle.
c) Muscles with clavicular origins are pec major (clavicular hear), deltoid (anterior), and SCM
d) teres major has origin on the lateral border of scapula, and inserts on the humerus
2) Choose the odd muscle out as regards insertion/origin:
- a) supraspinatus
- b) subscapularis
- c) biceps
- d) teres minor
- e) deltoid
- a) supraspinatus
- Origin - supraspinous fossa (scapula)
- Insertion - greater tubercle humerus (superior facet)
- b) subscapularis
- O - subscapular fossa (scapula)
- I - lesser tubercle humerus
- c) biceps
- O - supraglenoid tubercle (long-head), coracoid process (shorthead)
- I - radial tuberosity / bicipital aponeurosis
- Only one that crosses two joints (shoulder and elbow), only one that inserts on forearm or has action on elbow
- d) teres minor
- O - Lateral border scapular
- I - inferior facet greater tubercle humerus
-
e) deltoid
- O - acromion + spine of scapula; clavicle lateral thrid
- I - deltoid tuberosity of humerus
- They say answer is E) - I assume because it has its insertion on two bones rather than one.
3) Which muscle does not insert in or next to the intertubecular groove of the upper humerus?
- a) pectoralis major
- b) pectoralis minor
- c) latissimus dorsi
- d) teres major
a) pec major inserts into lateral lip of intertubercular groove
b) pec minor inserts into coracoid process
c) lat dorsi inserts into floor of intertubercular sulcus
d) teres maj inserts into medial lip of intertubercular sulcus
4) Identify the incorrect pairing for testing muscles:
- a) latissimus dorsi – abduct to 60° and adduct against resistance
- b) trapezius – shrug shoulders against resistance
- c) rhomboids – place hands on hips and draw elbows back and scapulae together
- d) serratus anterior – push with arms outstretched against a wall
a) latissimus dorsi - abduct arm 90 degrees, then adducted against resistence
b) trapezius - shrug shoulders against resistence
c) rhomboids – place hands on hips and draw elbows back and scapulae together
d) serratus anterior – push with arms outstretched against a wall
* Sternoclavicular head of pec major -* abduct to 60° and adduct against resistance
5) Identify the incorrect innervation:
- a) subclavius – own nerve from the brachial plexus
- b) serratus anterior – long thoracic nerve
- c) clavicular head of pectoralis major – medial pectoral nerve
- d) latissimus dorsi – dorsal scapular nerve
- e) trapezius – accessory nerve
- a) subclavius – nerve to subclavius (C5/6)
- Comes off superior trunk BP
- b) serratus anterior – long thoracic nerve (C5,6,7)
- From posterior aspect of anterior rami of C5,6,7
- c) clavicular head of pectoralis major – lateral pectoral nerve (C5,6,7)
- From lateral cord BP
- Note the question said medial pectoral nerve however this innervates pec minor and the sternocostal head of pec major. This comes from the medial cord (medial pectoral, medial cord; lateral pectoral, lateral cord)
-
d) latissimus dorsi – Thoracodorsal nerve (C6,7,8)
- from posterior cord
- e) trapezius – accessory nerve (XI) for motor, C3+4 for proprioception and pain
- Cranial nerve
- Note dorsal scapular nerve comes from posterior aspect of anterior ramus of C5 (+/- C4), pierces middle scalene, and innervates rhomboids +/- levator scapulae
6) Which muscle does not extend from the posterior surface of the scapula to the greater tubercle of the humerus?
- a) teres major
- b) infraspinatus
- c) supraspinatus
- d) teres minor
a) teres major inserts on medial lip of intertubercular sulcus
Supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor insert on the superior, middle, and inferior facets of the greater tubercle respectively

7) With regard to action, which muscle is the odd one out?
- a) teres minor
- b) deltoid
- c) teres major
- d) subscapularis
a) teres minor - laterally rotates arm
Only one that does not medially rotate the arm
b) deltoid - clavicular flexes and medially rotates; acromial abducts; spinous extends and laterally rotates
c) teres major - adducts and medially rotates
d) subscapularos - medially rotates arm
8) Which statement is INCORRECT?
- a) the muscles of the rotator cuff are deemed to be such because all their tendons fuse with the lateral part of the shoulder capsule and are attached to the humerus near the joint
- b) the capsule of the shoulder joint is attached at the line of the anatomical head except inferiorly where it extends to the level of the surgical neck
- c) the subacromial bursa lies between the tendon of supraspinatus and the coraco-acromial ligament and communicates with the shoulder joint
- d) the long tendon of biceps lies intracapsular and is sheathed by synovial membrane that allows it to slide with movement
c) the subacromial bursa lies between the tendon of supraspinatus and the coraco-acromial ligament and does not communicate with the shoulder joint.
It can communicate with the subdeltoid bursa however
9) Stabilising factors of the shoulder joint include all but:
- a) a tight capsule
- b) tendons that fuse with the capsule
- c) glenohumeral and coracohumeral ligaments
- d) labrum
- e) splinting of the humeral head between the tendons of biceps and triceps
a) a tight capsule
The loose fibrous joint capsule of the glenohumeral joint attaches medially to the margin of the glenoid cavity and laterally at the anatomical neck of the humerus
15) Blood supply to the upper limb, which is FALSE?
- a) the subclavian artery is divided schematically by scalenus anterior
- b) usually all branches of the subclavian come from the first segment
- c) the dorsal scapular branch may arise from the third segment
- d) pectoralis major schematically divides the axillary artery into three parts
- e) the acromial branch of the thoracoacromial trunk accompanies the cephalic vein in the deltopectoral triangle
d) pectoralis minor schematically divides the axillary artery into three parts
* Anterior scalenus* divides subclavian into 3 parts
b) usually all branches of the subclavian come from the first two segments
First = thyrocervical trunk (->inferior thyroid, suprascapular, transverse cervical artery)
Second = costocervical trunk (-> deep cervical and superior intercostal)
Dorsal scapular artery can come from the 2nd or 3rd part, or somtimes from the deep cervical artery
21) The clavicle:
- a) ossifies at eight weeks
- b) has atypical synovial joints at both ends
- c) articulates with the first rib
- d) is more curved in females
- e) usually fractures between deltoid tubercle and coranoid tubercle
b) has atypical synovial joints at each end (due to fibrous discs - complete in SC joint, incomplete in AC)
c) Articulates with the sternum and acromion of scapula
* e) Usually fractures between the medial 2/3rds and distal third.*
24) Axillary artery:
- a) first part is separated from the cords by axillary sheath
- b) lies posterior lateral to vein – all three parts
- c) medial root of median nerve crosses behind ????? to join lateral root.
- d) leaves axillar through quadrangular space
- e) supplies the breast via thoracoacromial branch
a) the first part of the axillary artery is contained in the axillary sheath, which also contains the axillary vein and the three cords of brachial plexus
b) The axillary vein is initially (distally) anteromedial to the artery, terminally is anteroinferior
c) medial and lateral roots of median nerve merge to form median nerve lateral to axillary artery
d) the axillary nerve and posterior circumflex humeral artery leave through the quadrangular space
e) breast blood supply is from the internal thoracic artery, a branch of subclavian
10) Regarding the brachial plexus, which is INCORRECT?
- a) it is derived from the anterior rami of C5-T1 after they have given off segmental supply to the prevertebral and scalene muscles
- b) the roots give off three branches including the long thoracic nerve to latissimus dorsi
- c) the trunks give off one branch
- d) the cords are divided into anterior and posterior divisions that supply the flexor and extensor compartments respectively and give off 13 branches
- e) the lateral cord supplies part of the median nerve
b) the roots give off three branches including the long thoracic nerve to latissimus dorsi
* Long thoracic supplies serratus anterior.*
* Latissimus dorsi is supplied by thoracodorsal nerve*
* Alternate information regarding whether nerve to subclavius comes off roots or trunks. Moores suggests it is off the superior trunk, Anatomedia + ShakEM puts it off the roots (C5,6). Knowing that Lat dorsi is suppled by thoraco dorsal, we have to assume that ‘c) one branch off the trunks’ is correct, and therefore that subclavian nerve is off the roots.*
* Three branches off roots are long thoracic, dorsal scapular, and nerve to subclavius.*
* Superior trunk gives suprascapular nerve, this is the only one off the trunks*
* The divisions are divided into anterior and posterior divisions; cords are lateral, posterior, and medial*
Median nerve has supply from lateral and medial cords
11) Regarding lymph nodes, the lateral side of the arm and forearm is drained initially to the:
- a) supratrochlear nodes
- b) posterior axillary nodes
- c) infraclavicular nodes
- d) central axillary nodes
They think c) but this doesnt seem quite right. Answer should probably be apical nodes:
Posterior axillary (subscapular) nodes drain the posterior thoracic wall and scapular region
Anterior axillary (pectoral) nodes drain anterior thoracic wall and the breast
Humeral (lateral) nodes drain the upper arm
These 3 then drain into the central nodes->apical nodes
Lymph accompanying basilic vein->cubital lymph nodes (medial forearm)
Lymph accompanying cephalic vein->apical axilly nodes (lateral forearm)
Apical nodes drain to the subclavian lymphatic trunk, although some pass through the infra and supra clavicular nodes en route
13) As it emerges from the axilla, the median nerve lies where with regards to the brachial artery?
- a) lateral
- b) anterior
- c) medial
- d) posterior
a) lateral
Apparently
16) Regarding the brachial plexus, which is FALSE?
- a) the nerve to serratus anterior comes from the anterior rami of C5-C7
- b) the suprascapular nerve arises from C5 anterior ramus
- c) the divisions are at the level of the clavicle
- d) the thoracodorsal nerve arises from the posterior cord
- e) the radial nerve is the largest branch of the brachial plexus
They thought all were correct, but b) is false.
a) Serratus anterior supplied by long thoracic nerve, which comes from anterior rami of C5-C8
b) the dorsal scapular nerve arises from the C5 root
Suprascapular nerve arises from the superior trunk (along with nerve to subclavian
c) The divisions pass under the clavicle, and divide the plexus into supraclavicular and infraclavicular portions
d) The thoracodorsal nerve arises from the posterior cord and supplies latissimus dorsi
e) the radial nerve is the largest branch
17) Regarding the brachial plexus:
- a) the lateral cord contains fibres from C5, 6, 7 & 8
- b) the posterior cord has fibres from C5, 6, 7, 8 & T1
- c) the medial cord has fibres from C8 and T1
- d) the suprascapular nerve arises from C5
- e) the ulnar nerve is a continuation of the medial cord
- They thought a) but that seems wrong. b, c, e all seem right (depending on if you distinguish ‘terminal branch’ from ‘continuation’)
- a) the lateral cord contains fibres from C5, 6, 7
- b) the posterior cord has fibres from C5, 6, 7, 8 & T1
- c) the medial cord has fibres from C8 and T1
- d) the suprascapular nerve arises from superior trunk and supplies supra and infra spinatus. The Dorsal Scapula nerve arises from C5.
- e) the ulnar nerve is a continuation of the medial cord
19) Regarding the brachial plexus:
- a) the roots lie behind scalenus medius muscle
- b) the trunks are formed behind the clavicle
- c) at the first rib, the cords are formed
- d) the cords give branches around second part of artery
I think it is d), they had no answer
a) The roots run in front of scalenus medius, behind scalenus anterior
b) The divisions are formed/run behind the clavicle
c) I think the trunks are formed at the 1st rib, as they enter the cervico-axiallary canal. Then form divisions pasing under the clavicle, and cords are formed in the axilla proper.
d) The cords are named as to their location about the second part of the axillary artery. They give off multiple branches from the cords, as well as divide into the terminal branches here.

18) Which is CORRECT?
- a) medial pectoral nerve C7 C8
- b) ulnar nerve C7 C8 T1
- c) dorsal scapular nerve C5 C6
- d) long thoracic nerve C6 C7 C8
- e) musculocutaneous C5 C6
a) medial pectoral nerve C8 T1 (off of medial cord)
b) ulnar nerve C7 C8 T1
c) dorsal scapular nerve C5 root
d) long thoracic nerve C5 C6 C7 C8 nerve roots
e) musculocutaneous C5 C6 C7
5) Brachial plexus:
- a) the five roots lie in front of scalenus anterior muscle
- b) the anterior division of the central trunk runs on as the medial cord
- c) the suprascapular nerve is the only branch from the trunks
- d) the radial nerve is a branch of the lateral cord
- e) the ulna nerve is a branch of the posterior cord
They say C - I believe this is from an old text book
Current Moores 8th ed states that suprascapular and subclavian nerve are off the superior trunk, so 2 from trunks and 2 from roots (dorsal scapular + long thoracic)
- a) the five roots lie behind scalenus anterior muscle, in front of scalenus medius
- b) the anterior division of the inferior trunk runs on as the medial cord
- c) the suprascapular nerve and subclavian nerve are the only two branches from the trunks (both from superior trunk)
- d) the radial nerve is a branch of the posterior cord
- e) the ulna nerve is a branch of the medial cord
6) The musculocutaneous nerve passes through which muscle?
- a) coracobrachialis
- b) short head of biceps
- c) brachialis
- d) medial head of triceps
- e) long head of biceps
a) coracobrachialis




















