Brachial plexus [Neurosurgery Wiki]

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====== Brachial plexus ======

{{::brachial_plexus.png?500|}}

Schematic diagram of the brachial plexus. (By permission: Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, 1973, R. Warwick & P. Williams: Gray’s Anatomy 35th Edition © Longman Group UK Limited.)

The brachial [[plexus]] is a network of [[nerve]]s, running from the spine, formed by the anterior rami of the lower four cervical nerves and first thoracic nerve (C5–C8, T1). The brachial plexus passes through the cervico-axillary canal in the neck to reach the axilla (armpit region), and into the arm including the hand, innervating these regions.


====== Nerves arising from the brachial plexus ======

Radial nerve (C5–8) 

Radial nerve (and its branches) innervate the extensors of arm and forearm:

● ↯ triceps (all 3 heads)

● ↯ anconeus

● ↯ brachioradialis

● ↯ extensor carpi radialis longus & brevis (latter originates ≈ at terminal branch)

● ↯ supinator (originates near the terminal branch)

● ↳ continues into forearm as posterior interosseous nerve (C7, C8)

○ ↯ extensor carpi ulnaris

○ ↯ extensor digitorum

○ ↯ extensor digiti minimi

○ ↯ extensor pollicis brevis & longus

○ ↯ abductor pollicis longus

○ ↯ extensor indicis

===== Brachial plexus injury =====

see [[Brachial plexus injury]]