These branches supply sensation and muscle control to the shoulders, arms, and hands.
The brachial plexus consists of five structural sections: roots, trunks, divisions, cords, and branches.
This organization maps the pathway of nerve fibers from the spinal cord down through the arm.
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A good mnemonic to remember these sections isReadThatDamnCadaverBook.
Cords
The six divisions then merge into three cords.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a brachial plexus injury depend on the severity.
Severe injuries can result in complete loss of sensation and paralysis of the arm.
Lesser injuries may result in some loss of sensation and weakness.
They occur most commonly with trauma or childbirth and usually involve forceful separation of the head from the shoulder.
This may be accompanied by pain that can be very severe.
Injuries to the brachial plexus can occur due to trauma, childbirth, cancer, and medical treatments.
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