Brachial plexus

The brachial plexus is a complex neural network formed by lower cervical and upper thoracic ventral nerve roots which supplies motor and sensory innervation to the upper limb and pectoral girdle. It is located in the neck extending into the axilla posterior to the clavicle.

Summary

• origin: ventral rami of C5 to T1
• course: emerges between anterior and middle scalenes, courses through the posterior triangle of neck posterior to the clavicle before becoming closely associated with the axillary artery in the axilla before giving up its terminal branches or alternatively the roots emerge to form 3 trunks between the scalenus anterior and medius muscles, the trunks dividemedial scalenes, each trunk divides into 6 divisions whichan anterior and posterior division which pass behind the mid clavicle, the divisions contribute to 3 cords which surround the second part of the axillary artery and finally the cords terminate as the 5 major nerves
• major (terminal) branches
  • median nerve
  • ulnar nerve
  • radial nerve
  • axillary nerve
  • musculocutaneous nerve
• motor supply: upper limb and pectoral girdle
• sensory supply: upper limb and part of the upper thorax

Gross anatomy

The brachial plexus consists of roots, trunks, divisions, cords and terminal branches as it travels from proximal to distal upper limb. This mnemonic describes the order of these subdivisions.

Roots

Roots are formed between the scalenus anterior and scalenus medius muscles by the anterior rami of C5-C8 and T1 nerve roots. Three branches arise from the roots directly ²:

• dorsal scapular nerve: arises from the posterior aspect of the C5 root and supplies the rhomboids
• subclavian nerve: arises from the C5 and C6 roots anteriorly to supply subclavius (although some texts describe this nerve arising from the superior trunk ⁴)
• long thoracic nerve: arises from the posterior aspects of C5-C7 and supplies serratus anterior

In addition, the scaleni and longus colli muscles are supplied by multiple variable unnamed muscular branches thatarise from all or some of the roots ⁴.

It is important to remember that the dorsal rami course posteriorly into the spinal extensors (erector spinae) and do not contribute to the brachial plexus.

Trunks

Trunks form from the roots as they pass between scalenus anterior and medius muscles, then go on to traverse the posterior triangle:

• C5 and C6 roots combine to form the upper or superior trunk
• C7 root makes up the middle trunk
• C8 and T1 roots combine to form the lower or inferior trunk

One branch arises from the trunks ²:

• suprascapular nerve: arises from the upper trunk and supplies the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles, and sensation to the glenohumeral and acromioclavicular joints

Divisions

Each trunk divides to form an anterior and posterior division posterior to the mid clavicle ².In general anterior divisions supply muscles of the anterior compartments (flexors) whereas the posterior divisions supply muscles of the posterior compartments (extensors) ⁴.

Cords

The divisions then combine to form cords, which are named for their relation to the second part of the axillary artery ²:

• lateral cord is formed by the union of the upper two anterior divisions at the lateral border of the first rib
• medial cord is a continuation of the lower anterior division
• posterior cord consists of the united three posterior divisions

The prevertebral fascia of the neck extends down to ensheath the axillary artery and cords. It is into this axillary sheath that local anaesthetic is injected when performing a brachial plexus block ³.

Peripheral nerves

Various peripheral nerves then branch from these cords.

Branches from the lateral cord are ²:

• lateral pectoral nerve
• terminal branches
  • musculocutaneous nerve
  • lateral root of the median nerve

Branches from the posterior cord are ²:

• upper subscapular nerve
• thoracodorsal nerve
• lower subscapular nerve
• terminal branches
  • radial nerve
  • axillary nerve

Branches from the medial cord are ²:

• medial pectoral nerve
• medial cutaneous nerve of the arm
• medial cutaneous nerve of the forearm
• terminal branches
  • medial root of the median nerve
  • ulnar nerve

Some authors describe the medial and lateral pectoral nerves arising from shared branches from the medial and lateral cords (as indicated in the diagram).

Variant anatomy

Approximately 50% of the population show significant variation in formation of the brachial plexus:

• pre-fixed brachial plexus: contribution from C4 ventral ramus, with overall contribution from C4-C8 (i.e. the roots are moved up one vertebral level)
• post-fixed brachial plexus: contribution from T2 ventral ramus, with overall contribution from C6-T2 (i.e. the roots are moved down one vertebral level)
  • the inferior trunk is at risk of compression by the first rib
• contributions of C4 or T2 ventral rami (6 or 7 roots)
• trunk, divisions or cord may be absent
• variations in branching patterns of the cords have also been reported ¹

Related pathology

• Erb palsy
• brachial plexitis
• brachial plexus injuries 
• thoracic outlet syndrome
• Klumpke palsy