Brachial plexus
33 named structures.
Hover or tab a structure to trace what it connects to. Some structures reveal further branches.
Clinical detail
- C5 nerve rootC5Cervical disc herniation at C4/5
- C6 nerve rootC6Cervical disc herniation at C5/6 — the second commonest cervical radiculopathy, after C7
- C7 nerve rootC7Cervical disc herniation at C6/7
- C8 nerve rootC8Cervical disc herniation at C7/T1, or a Pancoast tumour invading the lower trunk
- T1 nerve rootT1Pancoast tumour, or a cervical rib compressing the lower trunk
- Upper trunkC5 C6Erb–Duchenne palsy — shoulder dystocia at birth, or a fall forcing the head away from the shoulder
- Middle trunkC7Isolated middle trunk injury (uncommon)
- Lower trunkC8 T1Klumpke palsy — traction on an abducted arm, a cervical rib, or a Pancoast tumour
- Lateral cordC5 C6 C7Penetrating axillary injury, or traction during shoulder dislocation
- Posterior cordC5 C6 C7 C8 T1Anterior dislocation of the shoulder, or a penetrating axillary wound
- Medial cordC8 T1Klumpke-type traction injury, or infiltration by an apical lung tumour
- Musculocutaneous nerveC5 C6 C7Penetrating injury to the axilla, or over-vigorous shoulder surgery
- Axillary nerveC5 C6Fracture of the surgical neck of the humerus, or anterior dislocation of the shoulder1 question
- Radial nerveC5 C6 C7 C8 T1Midshaft humeral fracture involving the spiral groove1 question
- Median nerveC6 C7 C8 T1Carpal tunnel syndrome1 question
- Ulnar nerveC8 T1Fracture of the medial epicondyle, or compression in the cubital tunnel1 question
- Dorsal scapular nerveC5Traction injury, or entrapment within scalenus medius
- Long thoracic nerveC5 C6 C7Axillary dissection during mastectomy, or a blow to the chest wall
- Suprascapular nerveC5 C6Entrapment at the suprascapular notch, or a ganglion at the spinoglenoid notch
- Lateral pectoral nerveC5 C6 C7Injury during breast or axillary surgery
- Thoracodorsal nerveC6 C7 C8Axillary lymph node clearance