Cervical + Brachial Plexuses

Question 1

cervical plexus

Answer 1

combination of ventral rami from spinal nerves C1 - C5

Question 2

phrenic nerve

Answer 2

• most important nerve of cervical plexus
• stems from ventral rami of C3 - C5
• supplies motor + sensory fibers to diaphragm

Question 3

irritation of phrenic nerve

Answer 3

causes hiccups

Question 4

severed phrenic nerve

Answer 4

causes paralysis of diaphragm

will need ventilator (mechanical respirator) to breathe

Question 5

brachial plexus

Answer 5

• stems from ventral rami of C5 - T1

Question 6

major branches of brachial plexus (5)

Answer 6

1. axillary nerve
2. radial nerve
3. median nerve
4. ulnar nerve
5. musculocutaneous nerve

Question 7

axillary nerve

Answer 7

• innervates deltoid, teres minor, longhead of triceps brachii
• carries sensory info from shoulder joint

Question 8

radial nerve

Answer 8

• innervates triceps brachii, forearm/wrist/finger extensors (12)
• carries sensory info from associated joints + skin

Question 9

median nerve

Answer 9

• innervates flexor muscles of forearm, skin of first 3.5 fingers

Question 10

ulnar nerve

Answer 10

• innervates parts of flexors of forearm/wrist/fingers, skin of 1/2 of ring finger and the pinky

Question 11

musculocutaneous nerve

Answer 11

• innervates flexor muscles of arm (biceps brachii and brachialis)