II. Anatomy: Brachial Plexus Divisions (at least 38 defined variations)

  1. Mnemonic ("Rip Taylor Drinks Cold Beer" or "Coffee Black")
  2. Spinal levels (C5 to T1) transition into 5 Roots (Rami)
  3. Roots (Rami) divide into 3 trunks
  4. Trunks divide into 6 divisions
  5. Divisions combine into 3 cords
  6. Cords divide into 5-6 brances

III. Anatomy: Images

  1. brachialPlexus.jpg
  2. entNeuroBrachialPlexusGrayBB808.gif Lewis (1918) Gray's Anatomy 20th ed (in public domain at Yahoo or BartleBy)
  3. orthoArmNeuroBrachialPlexusGrayBB807.gif Lewis (1918) Gray's Anatomy 20th ed (in public domain at Yahoo or BartleBy)
  4. orthoArmNeuroBrachialPlexusGrayBB809.gif Lewis (1918) Gray's Anatomy 20th ed (in public domain at Yahoo or BartleBy)

IV. Anatomy: Plexus Divisions

  1. Upper Plexus
    1. Shoulder abductors
    2. External rotators
    3. Elbow flexors
    4. Sensation to Shoulder and radial arm
  2. Lower Plexus
    1. Forearm and Hand motor function
    2. Sensation to ulnar arm, Forearm, and hand
  3. First Thoracic Ganglion (T1)
    1. Sympathetic face fibers
    2. Horner's Syndrome
      1. Ptosis
      2. Miosis
      3. Perceived enophthalmos
      4. Anhidrosis

V. Anatomy: Cords

  1. Posterior Cord
    1. Supplies Radial Nerve
  2. Medial Cord
    1. Supplies 1/2 Median Nerve
    2. Supplies all of Ulnar Nerve
  3. Lateral Cord
    1. Supplies 1/2 Median Nerve
    2. Supplies Musculocutaneous

VI. Anatomy: Plexus course

  1. Passes between middle and anterior scalene Muscles
  2. Passes beneath clavicle, joined by Subclavian vein
  3. Passes beneath pectoralis minor (in axilla)
  4. Lower Trunk (C8,T1) passes over first rib
    1. Associated with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

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Related Studies

Ontology: Brachial plexus structure (C0006090)

Definition (CHV) a network of the nerves around the neck
Definition (CHV) a network of the nerves around the neck
Definition (CHV) a network of the nerves around the neck
Definition (NCI_NCI-GLOSS) A network of nerves that sends signals from the spine to the arm and hand.
Definition (NCI_CDISC) A nerve network originating from C5 to T1 that supplies cutaneous and muscular innervation to the arm and hand. (NCI)
Definition (NCI) A nerve network originating from C5 to T1 that supplies cutaneous and muscular innervation to the arm and hand.
Definition (MSH) The large network of nerve fibers which distributes the innervation of the upper extremity. The brachial plexus extends from the neck into the axilla. In humans, the nerves of the plexus usually originate from the lower cervical and the first thoracic spinal cord segments (C5-C8 and T1), but variations are not uncommon.
Concepts Body Part, Organ, or Organ Component (T023)
MSH D001917
SnomedCT 36582005
English Brachial Plexus, Plexus, Brachial, Brachial nerve plexus, Plexus brachialis, brachial nerves plexus, brachial plexus, brachial nerve plexus, NERVE, BRACHIAL, BRACHIAL PLEXUS, Brachial plexus, Brachial plexus structure (body structure), Brachial plexus structure, Brachial plexus, NOS
French Plexus nerveux brachial, Plexus brachial
Swedish Armplexus
Czech plexus brachialis
Finnish Hartiapunos
Russian PLECHEVOE SPLETENIE, ПЛЕЧЕВОЕ СПЛЕТЕНИЕ
Croatian BRAHIJALNI PLEKSUS
Latvian Pleca pinums
Polish Splot ramienny
Norwegian Plexus brachialis, Armnervefletning
Spanish plexo braquial, estructura del plexo braquial (estructura corporal), estructura del plexo braquial, Plexo Braquial
German Plexus brachialis
Italian Plesso brachiale
Dutch Plexus brachialis
Portuguese Plexo Braquial