Musculocutaneous Nerve: Difference between revisions

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== Introduction ==
== Introduction ==
The Musculocutaneous nerve is a large branch of the [[Brachial plexus|Brachial Plexus]] that supplies the flexors of the arm and sensation to the lateral forearm.
The Musculocutaneous nerve is a large branch of the [[Brachial plexus|Brachial Plexus]].It is called musculocutaneous nerve as it supplies the muscles of the front of the arm and skin of lateral side of forearm.<ref name=":1">Chaurasia BD. Human Anatomy. Vol1,CBS Publisers and distributors Pvt Ltd.</ref>


== General Course of Nerve  ==
== Root ==
Ventral rami of C<sub>5</sub>,C<sub>6</sub>,C<sub>7</sub><ref name=":1" />
 
== Course   ==
[[File:Musculocutaneous file.jpeg|right|frameless]]
[[File:Musculocutaneous file.jpeg|right|frameless]]


The Musculocutaneous nerve is a terminal branch of the lateral cord of the Brachial Plexus. It emerges at the inferior border of [[Pectoralis Minor|Pectoralis minor]] muscle. It has root values of C5, C6 and C7. It leaves the axilla to then pierce the Corocobrachialis near it humeral insertion. It then travels laterally down the arm, superficial to the [[Brachialis]] but deep to the [[Biceps brachii|Biceps Brachii]] muscle. It terminates 2cm above the elbow as the Lateral Cutaneous nerve of the forearm.
The Musculocutaneous nerve is a terminal branch of the lateral cord of the [[Brachial plexus|Brachial Plexus]]. It emerges at the inferior border of [[Pectoralis Minor|Pectoralis minor]] muscle.It passes lateral to the axillary and upper part of brachial artery. It leaves the axilla to then pierce the [[Coracobrachialis Muscle|Corocobrachialis]] near it humeral insertion to lie in the intermuscular septum between [[biceps brachii]] and [[brachialis]] muscles.Then it enters the elbow by piercing deep fascia and terminates as the Lateral Cutaneous nerve of the forearm.<ref name=":1" />
{{#ev:youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46PTcikRi44|width}}<ref>Osama Eqeel. Musculocutaneous nerve. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46PTcikRi44 (last accessed 20.3.2019)</ref>  
{{#ev:youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46PTcikRi44|width}}<ref>Osama Eqeel. Musculocutaneous nerve. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46PTcikRi44 (last accessed 20.3.2019)</ref>  
== Branches  ==
== Branches  ==

Revision as of 12:47, 8 June 2020

Introduction[edit | edit source]

The Musculocutaneous nerve is a large branch of the Brachial Plexus.It is called musculocutaneous nerve as it supplies the muscles of the front of the arm and skin of lateral side of forearm.[1]

Root[edit | edit source]

Ventral rami of C5,C6,C7[1]

Course[edit | edit source]

Musculocutaneous file.jpeg

The Musculocutaneous nerve is a terminal branch of the lateral cord of the Brachial Plexus. It emerges at the inferior border of Pectoralis minor muscle.It passes lateral to the axillary and upper part of brachial artery. It leaves the axilla to then pierce the Corocobrachialis near it humeral insertion to lie in the intermuscular septum between biceps brachii and brachialis muscles.Then it enters the elbow by piercing deep fascia and terminates as the Lateral Cutaneous nerve of the forearm.[1]

[2]

Branches[edit | edit source]

Motor branches are to

  • Corocobrachialis
  • Brachialis ( also has supply from Radial nerve)
  • Biceps Brachii

Sensory branches are

  • the terminal Lateral Cutaneous nerve to the lateral forearm

Articular branches

Movements produced[edit | edit source]

  • Coracobrachialis - flexs and adducts the glenohumeral (GH) joint and acts to stabilise the humeral head in the glenoid fossa when the arm is hanging freely by side.[3]
  • Brachialis- flexion of the elbow joint.
  • Biceps Brachii- a weak abductor of GH joint when arm externally rotated. Weak flexor of GH joint. Helps to stabilise GH joint when weight carried in arm. A supinator and flexor of the elbow joint.[4]

Pathology/Injury[5][6][edit | edit source]

Isolated injuries of the Musculocutaneous Nerve are rare. It may become injured by

  • Brachial Plexus damage
  • Compression injury eg weight lifting or sports involving lots of forarm flexing and supination.The biceps aponeurosis and tendon compress against the fascia of the brachialis muscle causing sensory loss below the elbow on the lateral side of the forearm.
  • Dislocation of the shoulder
  • Shoulder surgery
  • Entrapment of the nerve at the elbow

Anatomical Variations[edit | edit source]

Considerable anatomical variations present with this nerve. This may lead to clinical implications in eg surgery, diagnosis.[5]

Physiotherapy Techniques[edit | edit source]

Examination[edit | edit source]

Check strength of Biceps Brachii, Corocobrachialis and Brachialis muscles .

Check sensation on lateral forearm

See Nerve Entrapement

Check for Differential Diagnoses- namely C5/6 Radiculopathy; biceps Brachii distal insertion tear.

Physiotherapeutic Techniques[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Chaurasia BD. Human Anatomy. Vol1,CBS Publisers and distributors Pvt Ltd.
  2. Osama Eqeel. Musculocutaneous nerve. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46PTcikRi44 (last accessed 20.3.2019)
  3. Wikipedia. Coracobrachialis muscle. Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coracobrachialis_muscle (last accessed 20.3.2019)
  4. Wikipedia. Biceps Brachii. Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biceps ( last accessed 20.3.2019)
  5. 5.0 5.1 Patient. Musculocutaneous nerve. Available from: https://patient.info/doctor/musculocutaneous-nerve-lesion-c5-c6 (last accessed 20.3.2019)
  6. Healthline. Musculocutaneous nerve. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/musculocutaneous-nerve#1 (last accessed 20.3.2019)