Anatomy: Shoulder and Axilla, Brachial Plexus Schema

Anatomy: Shoulder and Axilla, Brachial Plexus Schema




Note the 5 Roots, 3 Trunks, 3 Anterior Divisions  and 3 Posterior Divisions, 3 Cords and 5 Terminal Branches. (Remember To Drink Cold Beer = Roots, Trunks, Divisions, Cords, Branches)

1. 5 Roots of the Brachial Plexus - C5, C6, C7, C8, T1. 
1. Dorsal Scapular Nerve (C5), 
2. Long Thoracic Nerve (C5, C6, C7), 
3. Longus Colli and Scalene Muscles (C5, C6, C7, C8)
2. 3 Trunks of the Brachial Plexus  - Superior, Middle and Inferior
1. Suprascapular Nerve (C5, C6)
2. Nerve To Subclavius (C5, C6)
3. 3 Anterior Divisions  and 3 Posterior Divisions of the Brachial Plexus - No Nerves
4. 3 Cords of the Brachial Plexus and 
1. Lateral Pectoral Nerve (C5, C6, C7)
2. 3 SubScapular - Upper  Subscapular Nerve, Thoracodorsal Nerve (Middle  Subscapular Nerve) , Lower Subscapular Nerve  
5. 5 Terminal Branches of the Brachial Plexus
1. Musculocutaneous (C5,C6, C7)
2. Axillary (C5, C6)
3. Radial Nerve (C5, C6, C7, C8, T1)
4. Median Nerve (C5, C6, C7, C8, T1)
5. Ulnar Nerve (C7, C8, T1). 

The brachial plexus contains the neural connections between the neck and brachial nerves.This speedy method helps simplify understanding the diagram of the brachial plexus. http://www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/upload/mm/15/brachial_plex_how_to.pdf



Draw two headless arrows to the right.
Add a headless arrow to the left.
Add a “W “.
Add an “X”.
Add a “Y”. (Just a branch of the “Y”is added.)
Label C5 to T1.

Label the major branches: MC = musculocutaneous, M = median U = ulnar R = radial AX = auxiliary

More complex diagramming of the brachial plexus includes the four “3s.”Neurosurgeons, neurologists, and physiatrists will use this diagram system.

• The first “3”is the branches to C5, 6, and 7 which form LTN = long thoracic nerve.
• Next, each of the headless arrows has three nerves attached to it. 
• To the top headless arrow, add its “3.” Label these “3”:DSN = dorsoscapularnerve; SS = suprascapularnerve;LP = lateral pectoral nerve.
• Add the “3”to the middle headless arrow. Label the second headless arrow “3”: SS = subscapularTD = thoracodorsalnerve.
• Add the final “3”on the bottom headless arrow. Label the last “3.”MP = medial pectoral,MBC = medial brachial cutaneous, and MABC = medial antebrachialcutaneous.Remember: the brachial cutaneousgoes to the brachium or arm, and the MABC goes to the antebrachiumor forearm. The nerve to the forearm starts distally.
• Label roots, trunks, divisions, cords, terminal branches.
• Radiologists, neurosurgeons and thoracic surgeons need to know the nerve to the subclavius(SUB).
• The complete brachial plexus diagram:

http://www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/upload/mm/15/brachial_plex_how_to.pdf