The brachial plexus (plexus brachialis) is a somatic nerve plexus formed by intercommunications among the ventral rami (roots) of the lower 4 cervical nerves (C5-C8) and the first thoracic nerve (T1). The plexus, depicted in the images below, is responsible for the motor innervation of all of the muscles of the upper extremity, with the exception of the trapezius and levator scapula The brachial plexus supplies all of the cutaneous innervation of the upper limb, except for the area of the axilla (which is supplied by the supraclavicular nerve) and the dorsal scapula area, which is supplied by cutaneous branches of the dorsal rami
The brachial plexus passes from the neck to the axilla and supplies the upper limb. It is formed from the ventral rami of the 5th to 8th cervical nerves and the ascending part of the ventral ramus of the 1st thoracic nerve. Branches from the 4th cervical and the 2nd thoracic ventral ramus may contribute
Compression of the medial, lateral and posterior cords of the brachial plexus can occur between the first rib and clavicle (known as thoracic outlet) and below pectoralis minor
The brachial plexus is divided into Roots, Trunks, Divisions, Cords, and Branches. There are five "terminal" branches and numerous other "pre-terminal" or "collateral" branches that leave the plexus at various points along its length.
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