Module 29: Upper Extremity I – Neurovasculature
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this class, students will be able to:
- Identify the nerves of the brachial plexus.
- List the terminal branches.
- List the named nerves originating from the brachial plexus.
- Identify the components of the brachial plexus.
- Differentiate a root, trunk, division, cord, and terminal branch
- Explain proximal to distal gradient of innervation.
- Identify the locations of the dermatomes of the upper extremity.
- Identify the spinal nerve root associated with the dermatome.
- Identify the myotomes of the upper extremity.
- List the motion associated with each spinal nerve root.
- Identify the sensory innervation of each terminal branch of the brachial plexus.
- Identify the muscles innervated by each terminal branch of the brachial plexus.
- Sketch and interpret the brachial plexus.
- List the major blood vessels of the upper extremities and describe their location.
- Identify the muscles and/or regions supplied or drained by the major blood vessels of the upper extremities.
Terms to Know
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Vasculature
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Brachial Plexus
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Arteries Serving the Upper Limbs
This content will be briefly covered in the assignment and built upon in lecture.
The subclavian artery has a major branch, the thyrocervical trunk, supplying the neck, shoulders, and upper back. The thyrocervical trunk has two major branches, the suprascapular artery supplying the supraspinatus and infraspinatus, and the dorsal scapular artery supplying the levator scapulae, rhomboids, and trapezius muscles. As the subclavian artery exits the thorax into the axillary region, it is renamed the axillary artery. The axillary artery comprises three parts, each with branches supplying different parts of the axilla and pectoral muscles. Although it does branch and supply blood to the axillary region, most of the vessel continues into the upper arm, or brachium, and becomes the brachial artery. The brachial artery supplies blood to much of the brachial region, including a branch called the deep brachial artery, which provides blood to the posterior surface of the arm. As the brachial artery approaches the cubital fossa, it bifurcates into the radial and ulnar arteries, which continue into the forearm, or antebrachium. The radial artery and ulnar artery parallel their namesake bones, giving off smaller branches until they reach the wrist. In the hand, they fuse to form the superficial and deep palmar arches that supply blood to the hand and the digital arteries that supply blood to the digits.
| ARTERIES SERVING THE UPPER LIMBS | |
|---|---|
| Vessel | Description |
| Axillary artery | Continuation of the subclavian artery as it penetrates the body wall and enters the axillary region; comprises three parts; supplies blood to the axillary region and pectoral muscles; most of the vessel continues into the brachium and becomes the brachial artery. |
| Brachial artery | Continuation of the axillary artery in the brachium; supp