Anaesthesia Fundamentals | Anatomy | Brachial Plexus, Nerve Supply to the Arm and Hand

Brachial Plexus, Nerve Supply to the Arm and Hand
Session overview
Description
This session will describe the anatomy of the brachial plexus and how it is related to other structures within the neck and upper arm. It will also describe the anatomy of the major nerves formed by the brachial plexus, and the sensory dermatomes and muscle groups supplied by these nerves.

Learning objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Describe the anatomy of the brachial plexus
• Describe how the brachial plexus is related to other structures in the neck and axilla
• Describe the main branches of the brachial plexus
• Outline the nerves supplying muscles in the arm and forearm
• Outline the nerves supplying sensation in the arm and forearm

Prerequisites
Before commencing this session you should complete the following:

• Brachial plexus, nerve supply to the arm and hand (001-0580)

A standard spinal nerve supplies a strip of skin (dermatome) and a strip of muscle (myotome).

At the top and bottom of the spinal column, a collection of spinal nerves connect and divide to form a plexus of nerves (plexus is Latin for braid). The brachial plexus is the most complicated of these.

It is formed from the anterior primary rami of spinal nerves C5 to T1 (and on occasion C4 or T2), and is responsible for providing the motor, sensory and sympathetic supply to virtually the whole arm.

This session will cover the anatomy of the brachial plexus and how it relates to other structures in the neck and axilla, and the nerves supplying the muscles and sensations in the arm and forearm.