Brachial Plexus – Strategic Map of Upper Limb

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Brachial Plexus Strategic Map

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One-line takeaway The brachial plexus delivers upper-limb function through a predictable hierarchy of Roots → Trunks → Divisions → Cords → Branches, and lesions create territory-based motor and sensory loss.

Explore Nerve Territories View Clinical Deficits

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Use your supplied image as the premium visual hero and the PDF content as the teaching structure.

Scope Upper limb map

Audience MRCS / OSCE

Format Premium single page

Core sequence

Roots to branches, no drama, no chaos

The foundational structure follows a strict order that makes localization easier in both exams and clinics.

Roots → Trunks → Divisions → Cords → Branches

Roots: C5–T1 spinal nerve roots
Trunks: Upper, Middle, Lower
Divisions: Anterior and Posterior
Cords: Lateral, Posterior, Medial
Mnemonic: Real Teachers Don’t Cut Branches

Feature visual

Medical anatomy visual used as hero artwork

Commanders map

Five terminal nerves. Five territories. Plenty of exam points.

Each major nerve acts like a commander controlling a predictable region of movement and sensation. When it fails, the pattern tells the story.

Axillary

Territory: Shoulder

Motor: Deltoid-driven abduction, teres minor external rotation

Sensory: Regimental badge area of the lateral shoulder

Classic lesion: Surgical neck fracture or anterior shoulder dislocation

Result: Weak abduction + numb lateral shoulder

Musculocutaneous

Territory: Anterior arm

Motor: Elbow flexion and supination

Key muscles: Biceps, brachialis

Sensory: Lateral forearm

Result: Weak flexion + reduced supination

Radial

Territory: Posterior arm and forearm

Motor: Elbow, wrist, and finger extension

Sensory: First dorsal web space

Classic lesion: Mid-shaft humeral fracture

Result: Wrist drop

Median

Territory: Most forearm flexors and lateral hand

Motor: Wrist and finger flexion, thumb opposition

Sensory: Palmar lateral 3½ digits

Common lesion: Carpal tunnel syndrome

Result: Thenar weakness + paresthesia

Ulnar

Territory: Medial hand

Motor: Intrinsic hand muscles, finger abduction/adduction

Sensory: Medial 1½ digits

Classic lesion: Medial epicondyle or cubital tunnel

Result: Clawing + weak finger ab/adduction

Clinical lens

Quick idea: Match injury location + dominant motor loss + sensory badge.

Shoulder: Axillary

Elbow flexion: Musculocutaneous

Wrist drop: Radial

Thumb opposition: Median

Kill chain table

Lesion → deficit → territory

Nerve	Common injury site	Strategic loss
Axillary	Surgical neck / shoulder dislocation	Loss of shoulder abduction + numb lateral shoulder
Musculocutaneous	Arm trauma	Weak elbow flexion + reduced supination + lateral forearm sensory loss
Radial	Humeral shaft	Loss of wrist and finger extension → wrist drop
Median	Carpal tunnel / forearm injury	Loss of thumb opposition + sensory loss in palmar lateral 3½ digits
Ulnar	Medial epicondyle / cubital tunnel	Intrinsic hand weakness → clawing + weak finger ab/adduction

Collateral branches

Strategic outposts before terminal branches

Dorsal scapular (C5): Rhomboids + levator scapulae
Long thoracic (C5–7): Serratus anterior → winged scapula if injured
Suprascapular: Supraspinatus + infraspinatus
Thoracodorsal: Latissimus dorsi
Upper / lower subscapular: Subscapularis and teres major support

Quick decision tree Injury at shoulder? Think axillary.
Mid-arm? Think radial.
Forearm or wrist? Think median or ulnar.

Exam mode

One-glance recall

Built for fast viva review, OSCE stations, and last-minute memory rescue missions.

Shoulder abductionAxillary

Elbow flexion + supinationMusculocutaneous

Wrist / finger extensionRadial

Precision grip + oppositionMedian

Fine tuning / interosseiUlnar

OSCE line

“I divide the upper limb into nerve territories. Each major nerve acts as a commander controlling predictable motor and sensory function in its region. Injury produces a characteristic pattern of loss within that territory.”