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Anatomy
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Overview Shoulder and arm Elbow and forearm Wrist and hand Nerves and vessels
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Overview Cerebrum Diencephalon Cerebellum Brainstem Meninges, ventricular system and subarachnoid space Blood supply of the brain Spinal cord Pathways of the nervous system Cranial nerves Peripheral nervous system
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Radiological anatomy
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AnatomyUpper limbOverview
Main nerves of the upper limb

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Main nerves of the upper limb

Learning objectives

In this study unit you will learn how to:

  1. Identify the main nerves supplying the upper limb.
  2. Describe each nerve's origin from the brachial plexus.
  3. Discover the region supplied by each upper limb nerve.

Watch video

The nerves of the upper extremity all arise from a network called the brachial plexus. This meshwork of nerves is formed from the anterior rami of spinal nerves C5- T1 and sits within the root of the neck. Watch the following video to learn how the nerve branches of the brachial plexus interconnect, and how they eventually form the main nerves supplying the structures of the upper limb.

Take a quiz

Custom quiz: Overview of the upper limb For a broader topic focus, try this customizable quiz.

Browse atlas

Brachial plexus
Plexus brachialis
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Summary

Key points
Main nerves of the upper limb Musculocutaneous nerve, axillary nerve, radial nerve, median nerve and ulnar nerve
Origin in the brachial plexus Musculocutaneous nerve: lateral cord
Axillary nerve: posterior cord
Radial nerve: posterior cord
Median nerve: lateral and medial cords
Ulnar nerve: medial cord
Region supplied by each nerve Shoulder: axillary nerve
Anterior arm: musculocutaneous nerve
Posterior arm and forearm: radial nerve
Anterolateral forearm and lateral hand: median nerve
Anteromedial forearm and medial hand: ulnar nerve
Lateral 3½ fingers: digital branches of median and radial nerve
Medial 1½ finger: digital branches of ulnar nerve

Well done!

Related articles

Neurovasculature of the upper limb Read article
Brachial plexus Read article

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